'My son's toe was ripped off on the playground ... it happened so quickly'

“We’re so grateful it was just a toe and not an entire foot, but still absolutely shattered he had to live through that horrid experience."

Joel Erickson

2 min read

August 25, 2023 - 11:05AM

Five-year-old Jaeger Verryt in hospital after his pinky toe was ripped off at a playground. Picture: 7News

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A little boy is recovering after one of his toes was ripped off while he played on a popular piece of playground equipment.

Western Australian five-year-old Jaeger Verryt was playing on a merry-go-round at a park in Geraldton, about 400 kilometres north of Perth, when his pinky toe on his right foot was caught in the gap before the equipment rotated.

7News reports the injury saw his ligaments stretched out before his toe was “brutally” pulled from his foot.

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Jaeger had been visiting the Geraldton foreshore with his family when the incident occurred on August 12.

Emergency services worked to dismantle the merry-go-round, but unfortunately Jaeger’s toe was too badly damaged to be reattached.

Five-year-old Jaeger Verryt in hospital after his pinky toe was ripped off at a playground. Picture: 7News

"A clean cut would have been better"

Mum Ebony Verryt, a volunteer with St John WA, and their family friend who works as a paramedic were able to stop Jaeger’s bleeding and get him to a hospital.

“A clean cut would’ve been better because it is much easier to reattach,” mum Ebony told 7News.

Jaeger underwent 15 hours of surgery and now faces months of rehabilitation to recover from his surgery, and it’s still not known whether the surgery will be successful.

Ebony told 7News she was thankful for her experience as a volunteer emergency medical technician and patient transport officer, and said it allowed her and her friend to act fast and contain the bleeding.

“We’re so grateful it was just a toe and not an entire foot, but still absolutely shattered he had to live through that horrid experience,” she said.

“Yes, it’s just a toe but we have 10 for a reason and it hurts my heart he lost it simply playing at a damn park.”

The playground on the Geraldton Foreshore where the accident happened. Picture: ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt

"We take matters like this extremely seriously"

7News reports the City of Geraldton has closed the merry-go-round to the public since Jaeger’s accident.

The city’s CEO Ross McKim said they were “very saddened” by the incident.

“We take matters such as this extremely seriously and an investigation is ongoing,” he told 7News.

“Our thoughts go out to the child and family involved and we wish the youngster an extremely positive and speedy recovery.”

Jaeger being transported from Geraldton to Perth. Picture: 7News

"This will end up being his favourite party story"

Ebony said she did not blame the council, and did not want playgrounds to be torn down, but argued the accident could have been prevented.

She told 7News her focus is now on her “superhero” son who took his first steps on Tuesday following the accident.

“He’s blown us out of our socks with his bravery, and determination to stay positive about the entire situation,” she said.

“We’re so so proud. We’ve got a little bit of a road to recovery ahead but with the resilience he’s shown, there’s no doubts this will end up being his favourite party story to tell as he gets older.”