12/03/2010 - Firm pays £10,000 on frame injuries
A teaching assistant who was left with whiplash injuries by a climbing frame which came off a wall has been awarded £10,000 in compensation from the firm which secured the frame.
Julie Belcher, 49, had moved in front of pupils to protect them when the faulty frame fell in the sports hall at Hartlebury Church of England primary school in Kidderminster. She was also left severely bruised and had to take seven weeks off work. Mrs Belcher still needs to have surgery for her injuries.
Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Mrs Belcher's union, Unison, said: "This accident must have come as a shock to Julie and if it wasn't for her quick thinking and selflessness some of the children may not have survived. Safety must come first in schools and that means making sure equipment is regularly checked and maintained.
Mrs Belcher said: "I had six young children pulling out the equipment with me who would have died if it had fallen on them. The accident has changed my life and you can still see the lump through my clothing. I am desperate to have surgery as soon as possible."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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