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'Hanging' pupil saved by school supervisor
A BOY was saved from being hanged after he put a skipping rope round his head and slipped off a gazebo in a Sheffield school playground.
Ten-year-old Jordan Haigh was left dangling by the neck, but was rescued by a quick-thinking supervisor whose actions, according to staff at Southey Green Primary, prevented a tragedy.
Jordan's mum Sharon Briscoe says she is unhappy that no-one called an ambulance for her son – and when the school called her they described what had happened as "a little accident".
Council officials have launched a health and safety investigation into the incident and say the findings will be shared with other schools.
Sharon, of Lindsay Road, Parson Cross, said she did not rush to school after the phone call as she had no idea how serious the situation had been.
She said: "When I saw the red marks on his neck from one ear to the other, which were bleeding, I was fuming. I couldn't understand why the school hadn't rung an ambulance. Jordan had tied the skipping rope to a fence and put it round his head like a headband.
"Then he slipped off the gazebo and the rope slipped round his neck. One of the staff members on duty came over and lifted him up by his legs – otherwise he could have died.
"Now I want an investigation into why no ambulance was called and why I wasn't told the truth on the phone. I've since taken Jordan to the doctor. He's been prescribed antibiotics and he's fine now apart from a stiff neck."
The school's headteacher Lynne Goodhand said a member of staff had seen Jordan putting the rope round his neck.
She added: "She immediately called out to him to stop and ran over to him. Her actions prevented a tragedy.
"Qualified first aid support was given immediately and at no time did the school feel he needed hospital attention. His mum was contacted straight away and informed of the detail and was advised to collect her child and get him checked out via his GP.
"This was a distressing incident for all and we are pleased that the child was able to return to school the day after."
A spokeswoman for the council's childrens services department said Jordan had been playing with a skipping rope during a supervised break at school and a member of staff noticed that he was going to put it round his neck.
She added: "She did her best to prevent him from doing so, calling out to him and running towards him to stop him, but he did tie it round his neck and she immediately removed it.
"He was immediately taken to first aiders, who found that he was able to breathe and speak clearly, so they called his mother and asked him to collect him.
"We are sorry that this family are distressed, and we wish the child a speedy recovery."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
