A four-year-old boy had his toes torn off in a horror London tube escalator incident after his wellie boot got stuck.
The gruesome affair unfolded on New Year's Day when the child's boot got caught between the step and side of the escalator at London Bridge station after the family had watched the parade.
The youngster, from Sittingbourne, Kent, had a "lovely day out" but it turned to "absolute disaster", according to his father.
After getting his foot stuck, his mother attempted to find the emergency brake, while his father picked him up and pulled him free - but injured his son's toes in the process.
After getting his foot stuck, his mother attempted to find the emergency brake, while his father picked him up and pulled him free
Carl Court/Getty
A nearby doctor assisted the boy and a station escalator technician found the dismembered toes and put them on ice.
However, staff at St Thomas' Hospital in London were not able to reattach them.
Following the incident, the boy is "really suffering" and is now "terrified" of going anywhere near an escalator, according to his father.
He said: "I am confident our little boy wasn't doing anything he shouldn't have been on the escalator, we were right next to him, and it was such a frightening experience to see him suddenly trapped like that."
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A negligence claim is being lodged by the family through law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp.
They allege the escalator was either faulty, unsafe or in a state of disrepair.
Network Rail has denied any liability for the incident.
Senior associate Ben Pepper said: "This family's harrowing ordeal really shines a spotlight on the dangers of escalators and particularly the dangers of travelling with children."
A nearby doctor assisted the boy and a station escalator technician found the dismembered toes and put them on ice
PA
A Network Rail spokesperson said: "The safety and wellbeing of our passengers is always our number one priority and our thoughts are with the young boy and his family at this very difficult time.
"Everyone in Network Rail and particularly the team at London Bridge station are saddened by this incident.
"However, while the case is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this stage."
