Safety call after girl's plunge at Mausoleum

Apr 30 2008 By Caireen Kelly

A HAMILTON mum this week called for the erection of warning signs at the Mausoleum after her daughter plunged 15ft and broke her hip.

Alice Calder (46), was speaking after her 13-year-old daughter Emma was injured at the monument in Strathclyde Park.

The teenager has been in traction at Wishaw General since the accident last month.

Emma, a Hamilton Grammar pupil, had been enjoying a walk down at the Mausoleum and decided to rest on a wall there. When she got up to leave, she slipped and fell to the ground.

Emergency services were called, as were her parents Alice and Russell (48).

Alice said: “Emma is such a sensible girl who usually thinks about things before she does them. That is why when we heard the news, we were shocked that this had happened to her.

“The whole family has rallied around and I think we all realised just how lucky she was.”

She added: “We just wanted other people to know how dangerous the wall is and warn them that there is a big drop on the other side.

“I know a lot of people use the area to take toddlers out for walks, and they could be killed if they fell from that height.

“I think it would be good if the council could erect warning signs to alert people to the size of the drop and prevent this happening to other people.”

Emma still has a further four weeks in traction before she starts a gruelling course of physiotherapy.

Alice said Emma had remained in good spirits, and thanked hospital staff for keeping her daughter occupied by providing fun activities during the day.

Alice continued: “Emma loves school and she hates being away from it. Her friends have been great... they all go to the hospital and see her and make sure she is not getting behind in her homework.”

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council said this week that they were unaware of the accident and urged Alice to contact the countryside and heritage manager on 01698 426213 to discuss her concerns.