Chichester toddler plunged 8ft into sewer after lid collapsed

A Chichester mother has told of her terrifying ordeal after her two-year-old plunged into a sewerage drain after the lid collapsed.
By Joe Stack
Published 21st Aug 2020, 15:04 BST
Updated 21st Aug 2020, 15:08 BST
Amelia with her mother and father by the drain cover after it was replacedAmelia with her mother and father by the drain cover after it was replaced
Amelia with her mother and father by the drain cover after it was replaced

Gina Knight, of Winterbourne Road, had just returned home from a shopping trip when her daughter Amelia walked across a drain cover which gave way, plunging her eight feet down into a sewerage pipe.

The tot suffered no severe injuries but was left with bruising and grazes across her body. She has also been suffering nightmares and ‘hasn’t been the same’ since the ordeal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gina said: “She hasn’t been sleeping and has been waking up screaming. I’m glad she wasn’t seriously hurt, like broken bones. The ambulance crew said it could have been fatal.”

Neal Ackcral, chief property officer for Hyde said they had ‘investigated thoroughly’ and the cover was suitably replaced.

“The cover has now been replaced with a heavy duty cast iron cover – a type that would normally be used in heavily traffic areas. We are also now reviewing the need to install bollards to prevent residents parking within grassed areas.

“We responded to the incident as soon as we were made aware,” he said.

He added that Hyde was pleased to hear Amelia was ‘doing well’ following the incident.