Stuck girl freed from chair
The family of a Shrewsbury two-year-old who got her head stuck in a wicker chair have thanked firefighters for helping to free her from the ordeal. The family of a Shrewsbury two-year-old who got her head stuck in a wicker chair have thanked firefighters for helping to free her from the ordeal. A fire crew was called to Sue Penlington's house, in Aston Road, Wem, last week after her two-year-old niece Jessica Thorpe became firmly lodged in a gap in the chair. The youngster, of Brookfields, Bayston Hill, had been visiting with mum, Cathy. Firefighters used specialist equipment, normally used at road traffic accidents, to free her. Mrs Penlington said: "One of my children, Ellie, was under the chair and I think Jessica put her head through to try and see her underneath." She added: "The firefighters from Wem arrived and they were brilliant." Picture: Two-year-old Jessica Thorpe, front left, in the chair that she got her head stuck in, with her mother Cathy Thorpe and her cousins Ellie, left, and Tilly Penlington, both aged three. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
The family of a Shrewsbury two-year-old who got her head stuck in a wicker chair have thanked firefighters for helping to free her from the ordeal.
The family of a Shrewsbury two-year-old who got her head stuck in a wicker chair have thanked firefighters for helping to free her from the ordeal.A fire crew was called to Sue Penlington's house, in Aston Road, Wem, last week after her two-year-old niece Jessica Thorpe became firmly lodged in a gap in the chair. The youngster, of Brookfields, Bayston Hill, had been visiting with mum, Cathy.
The drama unfolded in the conservatory with cousins Ellie and Tilly. Firefighters used specialist equipment, normally used at road traffic accidents, to free her.
Mrs Penlington said: "One of my children, Ellie, was under the chair and I think Jessica put her head through to try and see her underneath."
She said they read Jessica stories and put one of her dolls through the gap on the other side to try and take her mind off her predicament.
Mrs Penlington said: "The firefighters from Wem arrived and they were brilliant. Sub officer Phil Smith is really good and he came into the house with just one other firefighter. I think around six firemen standing there would have been a bit overpowering for Jessica."
She added she still could not believe what had happened and would never forget Cathy phoning firefighters to say her daughter was stuck in a chair.
Jessica was not hurt in the incident and firefighters said they were careful when using the specialist spreader, which is like a large pair of crocodile jaws, to enlarge the gap so she could get her head out.
Mrs Thorpe said: "We are very pleased with the firefighters as Jessica was a little scared but they were brilliant and really calmed her down. She loves her dolls so they rescued Dolly as well."
Picture: Two-year-old Jessica Thorpe, front left, in the chair that she got her head stuck in, with her mother Cathy Thorpe and her cousins Ellie, left, and Tilly Penlington, both aged three.
By Oliver Cartwright
