A young boy has lost part of his finger after a park gate sliced it off “like a guillotine”.

Tommy Warley, three, was heading to play in Conduct Gardens, Eastleigh, when the shocking accident happened.

Running only seconds ahead of his family, Tommy’s mum Rose-Marie Warley watched on in horror as her youngest son’s middle finger on his right hand was cut off when it got stuck in the gate.

She saw the gate move “180 degrees backwards” and trapped his finger in the process.

The incident happened at around 4.30pm on Tuesday with around 20 children in the area.

Mum Rose-Marie, 34, said: “There was so much blood everywhere, and his finger was attached to the gate.

“A neighbour had to wrap it in a tea towel and give it to us so we could take it to the hospital.

“Tommy was screaming, and we took him to Southampton General Hospital.”
Tommy Warley, 3, with his mum Rose-MarieTommy Warley, 3, with his mum Rose-Marie (Image: Rose-Marie Warley)

As some of Tommy’s bone was exposed, his hand was bandaged ahead of his surgery the following morning.

The three-year-old had to have more than half of his finger amputated.

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Rose-Marie is now demanding action from Eastleigh Borough Council and says safety checks should have been carried out.

“It is a guillotine, and the gate should have a stopping mechanism or a slow closure in place”, she said.

Tommy is now having to adjust to a life with one less finger, something he is finding challenging as a lover of sports and games.

Rose-Marie said: “He loves playing with cars, being in sand and water, and playing football, and those things will be more difficult for him especially as he is right-handed.

“Having all your fingers helps with co-ordination and grip, but that is restricted for him now.

“Tommy also has special educational needs (SEND), so this will impact him in the long-term.”

She added: “I want the council to change the gates, and when they will do that, I don’t know.”

The council has since launched an investigation into the incident.

A spokesperson said: “We're very sorry to hear that a young child was hurt at Conduct Gardens and understand this must be very upsetting for the family.

“We're in touch with them and are looking into exactly what happened.

“Council staff visited the site straight away and have made sure that the area is safe.”