Jude Beattie. Photo: Mary Beattie / supplied
Warning: This story contains a photograph of a severe leg injury. Proceed with caution.
An Auckland mother says her 11-year-old son needed surgery after gashing his leg on a metal post leaving the Auckland FC game at the weekend, and wants all berms checked for hazards.
Mary Beattie's son Jude is a huge football fan. She and her husband took their four children to Saturday's game at Mt Smart Stadium with friends as a birthday treat for their younger son.
But it all turned pear-shaped when they were leaving the match and Jude walked into a knee-height metal post on a berm.
"There were so many people, it wasn't like you would notice it or avoid it. It was dark, and of course it kind of camouflaged into the ground, so it was just totally unobvious," she said.
"Next thing, he's impaled his shin into it and then everyone stopped and you could see how bad it was, and I could see the flesh out, it was awful.
"He just said, 'Mum, I just had no idea it was there.'"
The offending post. Photo: Mary Beattie / supplied
They used a Te Atatu Football Club scarf as a tourniquet - the club Jude plays for.
Beattie said the gash was deep and she knew immediately they had to get to hospital.
"When I saw how bad it was, I was quite concerned - I could see that it was almost to the bone and that there was flesh coming out."
Her husband stayed with their other children while she and Jude hailed a taxi to Starship Hospital.
"I had to leave my other children standing there in tears, looking very, very worried about their elder brother, who they all adore."
Beattie sang the praises of the taxi driver and hospital staff.
"He was obviously in a whole lot of pain. The taxi driver, bless him, he lifted him, carried him into the hospital," she said. "[Jude] was saying, 'Oh that taxi driver was so kind, wasn't he?'"
The gash. Photo: Mary Beattie / supplied
Jude was quickly assessed as needing surgery and had stitches under general anaesthetic on Sunday afternoon, still wearing his Auckland FC top.
Beattie said local authorities and private landowners need to ensure crowds can safely walk to and from the stadium, especially when it is dark.
"I just have no idea how on Earth this [post] could be standing up at the ground like that, legally. It's just such a hazard waiting to happen.
"I would hope that the council would be checking the areas around a big stadium where they know there's going to be lots of people, so that there aren't any hazards and other people aren't at risk of getting hurt."
Jude and Mary at the hospital. Photo: Mary Beattie / supplied
Auckland Transport (AT) manages the berm, and a spokesperson said its maintenance team removed the metal post - and another trip hazard found there - as soon as they heard about the injury.
"We were really disappointed to hear that a boy was injured in Penrose last night while heading home from the Auckland FC match at Go Media Stadium," they said. "We're wishing Jude a speedy recovery and hope he is able to get back on to the football field as quickly as possible."
AT is responsible for maintaining more than 7500km of footpaths in Auckland and regularly inspects roads and footpaths, but relies on Aucklanders to report issues with berms, particularly in commercial areas.
"When issues are reported to us we aim to promptly send out our contractors to address these, especially if there is a safety risk," the spokesperson said.
Te Atatu Football Club. Photo: Mary Beattie / supplied
Beattie said she was overwhelmed and thankful for the support the family received from the Te Atatu community.
Jude played for three football teams, and missed a tournament with Te Atatu Football club on Sunday.
The team rallied around Jude and brought him the trophy and medal they won in his absence.
"They all tucked their shirt in, in honour of him, because he's the only one that tucks his shirt in when they're playing because his shirt's too big."
She said Jude's biggest challenge would be having at least two weeks off sports - he had various tournaments coming up that he hoped to play.
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