Child suffers horrific burns at Port Macquarie water play park

A family has been left traumatised after a trip to a water park ended with their young toddler in hospital suffering horrific burns after falling on a nearby metal grate.

Emma Ferrato with her one-year-old daughter

A one-year-old child has suffered horrific burns at a council water play park at Port Macquarie.

Located on the Hastings River at Westport – not far from the CBD – the park features play equipment and a small water play area with a shade sail.

It is operated by Port Macquarie Hastings Council and a spokesperson said the organisation is aware of the incident.

Emma Ferrato took her daughter to play at the park on Wednesday - a relatively cool day on the Mid-North Coast for this time of year - but the family day out soon turned to tragedy.

She shared her experience on a local Facebook community forum to warn others.

“For anyone heading to Westport water park, beware of this metal plate near the path,” she wrote.

Emma Ferrato's one-year-old daughter recovers in hospital.

“It burnt our toddler quite badly when she tripped on the edge and fell on it, running around.”

Ms Ferrato, who is a registered nurse, said her child ended up in hospital and needed sedation to treat the burns.

“Steer clear until it gets sorted, yesterday was only 27 degrees so on a hotter day, little feet might stick to it - what a horrendous experience.”

A young child playing at a Port Macquarie water park fell onto a nearby metal grate leaving severe burns requiring hospital treatment.

Following the incident she spoke with the Daily Telegraph saying her family is still in shock and is bracing for the long recovery ahead.

“She is doing her best but it is very painful for her.

“Her hands require to be stretched out multiple times a day so the creases don’t fuse and require surgery.”

The burns on her leg are more pale than those on her hands which Ms Ferrato says indicates a deeper burn which is more likely to scar.

“The bottom of her foot makes it painful for her to walk - it’s horrific.”

A young child playing at a Port Macquarie water park fell onto a nearby metal grate leaving severe burns on her hands and legs requiring hospital treatment.

If the burns do not heal properly within the next two weeks she may require further surgery at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

“You would expect, in a developed country that is highly taxed, a certain standard exists and to be met when they design and plan infrastructure for children’s play areas.

“Our community deserves better and whoever the educated and qualified adult is that deemed this safe for kids needs to be cross examined.”

Ms Ferrato says her family loves to camp in the forest and swim and fish in rivers from their boat.

“But we decided to do the kids’ park instead of hanging out with spiders, snakes and bullrout but now our baby had to be sedated with fentanyl and ketamine to treat the burns because we decided to go to a kids’ play area instead of the State Forest.”

Westport’s Water Play Park.

There should simply not be any bare metal exposed in direct sunlight on the ground where children play, Ms Ferrato said.

“My baby tripped on it first, then landed on the blistering metal. If it was leveled out around the edges she probably would have run straight over the top and not tripped and fallen onto it with her young skin.”

There’s been an outpouring of shock and anger following the incident with Vicky Hendrey among those telling Ms Ferrato to “lawyer up” and hold council accountable.

“No way should a baby suffer like that,” Ms Hendrey posted.

Others like Anna Wills wished the toddler a speedy recovery and said it was such as shock as she considered it a great spot for kids.

A Port Macquarie Hastings Council spokesperson said staff and the park’s maintenance contractors are “currently assessing the area and taking appropriate actions to prioritise a safe playing environment for all”.