Pontefract Park ‘death trap’ slips after child injured

A slide for children described a ‘death trap’ by parents being closed after a toddler was filmed falling from it.

Kaysha Jarvis, 29, said she “felt sick” when she saw her two-year-old son Freddie land on his head after toppling from a walk in Pontefract Park on Wednesday.

Freddie suffered scratches to his face and leg when he “flew” off the zig-zag play equipment.

Park managers Wakefield Council apologized and said the slide would remain closed until staff were “fully confident” it was safe to use.

The striped slide only opened to the public in April 2023 as part of a £450,000 redevelopment of the playground.

Mrs Jarvis, from Castleford, said she was horrified when her son fell as he reached the first of two sharp bends.

“He landed on his head and twisted his neck and then rolled down the hill,” she told the BBC.

“It makes you feel so bad to think about what could have happened.

“I really don’t know how he got away without breaking anything.”

She later decided to share the video on Facebook to warn other families of the potential dangers and contacted the council.

“I knew the slide had problems before, I thought everything was redone and now it’s safe,” she added.

“I just wanted to show how unsafe it is, obviously.”

Ms Jarvis suggested an age limit could be imposed on the fairytale-themed play area to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Wakefield Council said it had been in touch with her and found experiences shared by other parents on social media “worrying”.

Gary Blenkinsop, the council’s director of services for environment and community protection, said: “We are very sorry for what has happened.

“It was very concerning to read the comments, especially since the company that made the slide assured us that these issues have been resolved.”

Helen Bankole, who saw Freddie’s video, said she also had concerns about the equipment.

“It’s an absolute death trap,” she said.

“My three-year-old has come down a few times, but I make her stick her arms in because she’s so quick.”

Khrystyna Pankevych, who lives in Pontefract, said Ms Jarvis’ video reminded her of an occasion when her son injured himself on another slide at the park last year.

The 34-year-old said Dominik, then nine, broke his nose and needed hospital treatment when he used the metal slide.

“It’s absolutely terrifying,” she said.

“We expect a playground to be checked, especially if it’s so expensive.”