Firefighters rescue boy trapped on seesaw

Park users tried to help Billy when he got trapped in the park seesaw

A nine-year-old boy had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped on a seesaw at a park in Nottinghamshire.

Billy was playing on the equipment when he got lodged in the metal handlebars at King Georges Park, Bramcote, on Thursday.

Firefighters were called at 17:18 BST and used specialist tools to release Billy, who was in "considerable pain and distress".

Billy's mum, Emma, said she was thankful to other people in the park who offered their help, and to the firefighters for freeing her son.

Emma explained Billy's twin brother ran over to his dad to tell him he had become stuck.

"At first we thought it was a joke, then I heard Billy screaming and all the commotion," she said.

"There were two other mums and a dad in the park trying to free Billy too, but nothing was working.

"Every time he moved, he seemed to be getting further stuck in there, then one of the parents called the fire brigade."

Billy was freed from the seesaw after about 40 minutes

Crews from Stapleford and Highfields fire stations attended the scene.

Firefighters used a hydraulic rescue tool called a spreader, which forces heavy objects apart, to free Billy from the seesaw.

Emma added: "Honestly, I cannot thank them enough - they were absolutely fantastic.

"They talked him through every single thing they were doing.

"When they brought the generator [they told him] that it would make a noise. They were brilliant with him.

"Obviously we had his twin brother here as well so one of the mums was checking in with him and making sure he was OK.

"I can't thank everybody enough - they were brilliant."

Recalling the incident, Billy said: "One woman was holding me just to keep me balanced.

"It felt horrible and I thought I wasn't going to be able to get out.

"There were five firefighters and they used a spreader and generator to get me out. I felt really relieved when I was out."

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue said it was not unusual for a spreader to be used during rescue efforts

The park is inspected on a weekly basis by Broxtowe Borough Council, which owns and manages the site.

The most recent inspection before the incident was carried out on 14 October, and no safety issues or concerns were found, the council said.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "The safety of children on our play areas and parks is of the utmost importance.

"Broxtowe Borough Council are committed to maintaining its play areas to the highest safety standards by ensuring that all play equipment installed is to British Standard EN 1176.

"The council is currently undertaking an investigation following the incident and will implement any recommended actions.

"The seesaw has been cordoned off until the investigation has been completed."

A spokesperson for the fire service added: "We're pleased to hear that [Billy's] expected to make a full recovery, and we wish him a speedy return to playing and smiling again."