Safety plea after boy's 50ft fall at Dewsbury Scar

BBC Published May 25, 2010 Reviewed Jul 3, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Marcus Allison, an 11-year-old boy, broke five bones (including his foot and injured his arm) after a 50ft fall at Dewsbury Scar on Thursday.

50 ft · fall height5 · bones broken article narrative

A 30-metre stretch of Dewsbury Scar will have a handrail installed as part of future safety work.

30 metre · handrail length Kirklees Council, spokesman

Gemma Holland, a local youth, required three operations to repair shattered bones in her right arm after a bike fall over the edge at Dewsbury Scar.

3 · operations Gemma Holland, local youth

Emergency response to Marcus Allison’s 50ft fall required the ambulance service, two fire engines, and a specialist unit.

2 · fire engines article narrative

Marcus Allison broke five bones.

5 bones · Marcus Allison

Marcus Allison fell 50ft down a ravine.

50 ft · Marcus Allison

Two fire engines were needed to rescue Marcus.

2 fire engines · rescue operation spokesman for Kirklees Council, spokesman

Gemma Holland had three operations.

3 operations · Gemma Holland Gemma Holland, local youth

A handrail will be fitted on a 30-metre stretch.

30 metre · handrail spokesman for Kirklees Council, spokesman

The mother of an 11-year-old boy who broke several bones after plunging 50ft down a ravine on his bicycle has called for better safety measures in the area.

Marcus Allison broke his foot and injured his arm after the accident at Dewsbury Scar in Thornhill near Dewsbury on Thursday.

His mother, Samantha Allison, said her son was lucky to be alive.

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said the path had already been widened but that further safety work was planned.

As well as the ambulance service, two fire engines and a specialist unit were needed to rescue Marcus.

Ms Allison suggested that fencing be put around the area.

"Something needs to be done, desperately," she said.

The embankment at Dewsbury Scar has proved dangerous in the past.

Local youth Gemma Holland said she had to have three operations to repair the bones in her right arm which were shattered when she fell over the edge on her bike.

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: "Work has previously taken place to widen the footpath along Dewsbury Scar and further safety measures are due to be implemented in the near future.

"No date has been set for the work to begin, but it will incorporate a handrail on a 30-metre stretch."

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