Articles labeled: ellis park rusty slide

That salt water must be hell on playground equipment. Town of York, Maine, may I suggest perhaps a fiberglass or plastic slide?

John Connor said his 3-year-old son was going down a metal slide at the park’s playground, barefoot, when he was stopped short toward the bottom.

“The slide had a rust hole, and his little toe went in,” said York police Sgt. Gary Finley.

Connor, who described the hole as about 2.5 inches to 3 inches wide, said it appeared as if someone had previously tried to cover it with duct tape. He estimated it was a few minutes after an emergency call was placed before the paramedics arrived, and another 15 minutes before his son’s bleeding toe was freed.

York Beach Fire Department Capt. Mark Gay ultimately tried several pairs of pliers to bend the rusted metal from around the toe, according to a report from the Ffire Department. A paramedic gave pain medicine to the boy while he was stuck.

“Everyone was amazed he didn’t lose his toe,” said Connor.