Gate runs over toddlers leg at nursery school
The sandpit Ettienne was playing in, is right at the gate and the railing of the gate runs into the sandpit.
On 12 February, while little Ettienne du Preez (16 months) was playing in the sandpit close to the gate at Paddavoetjies Nursery and Aftercare School, the remote-controlled gate was opened and rolled over his left leg.
His father, Nico du Preez, 32, told the Herald he had dropped off Ettienne and his sister at 7am. Not long afterwards he received a call from Ettienne’s teacher who told him to go to Life Robinson Hospital.
Du Preez found his son in the Casualty section, crying hysterically from the pain. His clothes were covered in blood.
The owner of the school, Alta Potgieter, was there too, but was being treated by another doctor as she had fainted when the incident occurred. Another staff member from the nursery school told Du Preez they were helping children across the road to the primary school when Potgieter and Ettienne’s teacher were standing some distance from the gate.
Ettienne’s teacher was told to open the gate. As she did, the staff member shouted at them to stop the gate, as he could see that it had rolled over Ettienne’s leg. The sandpit Ettienne was playing in, is right at the gate and the railing of the gate runs into the sandpit.
At Robinson Life Hospital, the doctor told them to get a second opinion, as he did not specialise in cases like Ettienne’s.
They immediately went to Netcare Krugersdorp Private Hospital where the doctor told them that the leg did not look good. Surgery was scheduled for the Monday, as Ettienne’s leg was too swollen to be operated on immediately. On the Saturday Potgieter went to visit Ettienne, and took along a teddy bear and treats.
After the surgery on Monday, the doctor informed them there was permanent damage to the leg and Ettienne would have to get an artificial foot. The recovery process would set back his development two years compared to other children his age.
On the Monday after the incident the Du Preez couple took both their children out of the school. On the same day Du Preez asked Potgieter to write a report on what had happened, but she replied, “I am closing the school.”
On 29 February they returned to the doctor for Ettienne’s check-up and were given the good news that Ettienne’s leg was not damaged permanently, and that with some physiotherapy, he would be able to recover fully.
The Du Preezs were overjoyed, but Belinda said her husband and their daughter, Nadine, had been traumatised severely by the incident. He said the school had too few teachers and that the sandpit at the gate was very unsafe.
The incident had set them back a huge amount, which Du Preez said would not be refunded by Potgieter. He is preparing a case against Paddavoetjies.
In response Potgieter said,
This has been a terrible time for me and Paddavoetjies Nursery. The incident was an accident, one we could not foresee, as we never have had anything like this happen at my school. ”
Since the incident the sandpit was moved from the gate and a wall was built around the gate railing.
“Five children have left my school, and I had to let two teachers go.”
She alleged Du Preez told her from the beginning that he knew it had been an accident and she should not worry so much.
When asked if she didn’t feel she should cover Ettienne’s medical bills, she said crying,” No, I am already paying for it. Children have left my school, and I have had to let teachers go. My school is getting a bad name. I am sorry this happened to Ettienne and his family, and I am very grateful that there is no permanent damage to his leg. “
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