'My brush with death'

Heather Coles-Bayes, 14, told how she felt the point of the railings brushing against her tongue as it was driven five inches into her neck.

It was just inches away from a main artery, after she slipped in a freak accident near Marsel House and Tesco on Springs Lane, Ilkley.

Today, the Ilkley Grammar School pupil was recovering at her Ilkley home after her ordeal.

Fire crews had to use cutting gear to remove the railings and Heather was taken with the spike still embedded to Leeds General Infirmary, where doctors removed it and stitched her wound.

Heather was conscious throughout the delicate operation to release her from the railings on Friday.

"All I can remember is that I was talking to my school friend Lisa, then I slipped.

"I could feel that I was caught on the railings. I tried to unhook myself but I couldn't, " she said.

"I was not hysterical, I was just shocked and calm. Lisa ran to get help. I could feel the spike near my tongue in my mouth," she added.

Danitos Safa, who runs the nearby Danitos Pizzas, alerted the emergency services on his mobile phone.

He was instructed to keep her head up and her body straight by an emergency services operator.

"I am just so grateful to him. He just stayed with me and told me if I survived this then he would give me a free pizza, and I'll take him up on that," she said.

Today Heather's parents have called for a ban on spikes on fences to prevent a future disaster.

Geoff and Carole Coles-Bayes said they wanted all of the hazardous objects removed.

Mr Coles-Bayes said: "Luckily there is no lasting damage. But we were told by the doctors that if the spike had been inches closer, it could have pierced a main vein and she would have lost an eye.

"I would like to see those spikes at the top of those railings come down. My daughter could have been killed," he said.

Heather's mother agreed and said: "This whole ordeal has been horrific. Heather could have suffered instant death. "It is an absolute miracle that she is alive. There is no need for any spikes to be positioned in this way.

"I think there should be a ban. I am just hoping that something will be done about this matter and fast."

Recalling Friday's nightmare ordeal, Mrs Coles-Bayles said she saw her daughter in the casualty area laying on a bed with part of the cut off railing on top of her.

"It was just awful, as the spike was in her chin. I was just so worried," she said.

Police, ambulance and fire crews from Idle and Ilkley equipped with heavy cutting equipment carried out the delicate operation to remove the railings and Heather was taken to Leeds General Infirmary under police escort. The spike was removed and then she underwent exploratory surgery to ensure there was no further damage. Heather is now taking antibiotics and pain killers and has to return to hospital on Wednesday for a check up.

Heather said the whole family wanted to thank all those involved in her rescue.

"Everyone was just excellent and I just want to say a big thank you to them all," she said.

The fencing is believed to have been erected about 40 years ago. Today Councillor Martin Smith (Cons, Ilkley) said he believed this was the first incident involving the railings.

"It is a freak accident, but there is no need for the railings to come down. They are not really meant to be climbed or played on."

Ilkley Parish Council member Heathcliffe Bowen said if there was a wave of public opposition to the spikes on these particular railings, then the issue may be examined

"But it something that would have to debated with Bradford District Council.

Anyone who would like to donate cash to the benevolent funds for the emergency services should call the Telegraph & Argus on (01274 729511 ext 209).

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