Shropshire Star

‘Ripped to shreds’: Boy injures hand in Shrewsbury shopping centre escalator

A four-year-old schoolboy's hand was ‘ripped to shreds’ after it became stuck in an escalator at Shrewsbury’s Charles Darwin Shopping Centre.

Published
Finley in hospital

Finley Lander was in hospital for four days and had three operations after the freak accident.

He was dragged down the escalator after his hand became trapped in the mechanism.

Finley was rushed to Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, where surgeons operated.

Hand after the third operation

His father Michael Lander was in the centre with Finley and his daughter Lily, six.

He went down the escalator first before hearing a scream and seeing his son being pulled along with his hand trapped down the side.

Mr Lander said he is thankful his son, a Myddle Primary School pupil, still has his hand, adding: “I was walking down and just heard this scream, and Finley was sitting down with his hand trapped.

“I was trying to pull it out but it wasn’t working, and shouting for someone to press the stop button, but they couldn’t find it.

“It was horrific. His hand had ripped and was just about hanging on. The paramedics came and were going to airlift him to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool but he eventually ended up in Telford.”

The accident happened last weekend as shocked shoppers looked on. Finley was discharged from hospital on Thursday after a series of procedures and fears the hand could become infected.

Mr Lander, of Harmer Hill, thanked everyone for their help and assistance, but said he was disappointed no one at the shopping centre had been in touch since.

He added: “It could have been worse, but I am thankful he has his hand. Next time we will be using the stairs, and I would like to thank everyone for their help, the public couldn’t have done enough.

“Most escalators stop when jammed but this didn’t.”

"At the bottom he came free and it was an horrific sight. Basically from just under his fingers to the bottom of the palm of his hand had ripped and was just about hanging on."

Centre manager Kevin Lockwood said: “A regrettable accident took place at the centre on Saturday when a child sustained an injury on an escalator. "He was taken to hospital. Our thoughts are with the child and his family.

"Our trained staff reacted quickly and were on hand to manage the situation until the emergency services arrived.”