Vandals blamed for girl's fence injuries

Police inspect a section of fence at Cornwall Park that injured a 3-year-old girl on Saturday. Photo/Duncan Brown

The Hastings District Council plans to weld a vandalised park fence that fell and injured a young girl at the weekend.

When Catherine Alpin, 3, touched an unsecured section of fencing at the park's play area on Saturday, it collapsed on her, causing serious head and facial injuries.

Council parks and property services manager Colin Hosford said officers inspected the fence and found all panels secure except for the one in question.

"The bolts that hold the top of the panel had been removed but they cannot be removed by fingers alone," Mr Hosford said.

"A spanner, crescent, pliers or similar would be required to loosen them."

He said an investigation concluded vandals had attempted to unbolt the panel but were unable to remove it.

"The panel had been pushed back into place and looked secure, but when weight was put on it, it swung down.

"Council intends to weld the bolts against the fence poles," he said.

"Our playgrounds are inspected weekly to try to ensure these incidents don't occur but it is difficult covering every eventuality, especially should anyone deliberately interfere with park equipment."

Catherine had since been discharged from hospital and was recovering well at home.