Woman badly hurt in skate park (From Free Press Series)

Woman badly hurt in skate park

A WOMAN who suffered serious head injuries after falling in to the skate park in Chepstow remains unconcious in intensive care.

The incident happened around 10pm, last Thursday evening in Bulwark Park.

Local resident Pamela Fudge, of St George's Road, Bulwark, was initially taken to the Royal Gwent hospital, Newport, and later transferred to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, where she remains in a critical conditions.

Mrs Fudge is thought to have been walking home from a resturant with her husband, and toppled into the concret bowl, after peering over the edge to have a look.

Now local coucillors are looking into the safety issues surround the skate park, with some calling for the area to be fenced off.

Councillor Cliff Meredith, who has in the past raised concerns regarding the location and safety of the skatepark, said: "The skate park should be fenced off. If people can wander around there in the dark, it is a dangerous situation.

"People use the area as a short cut, andwe don't know what's going to happen - something like this could happen again. I am going to ask for the skatepark to be fenced off."

Councillor Phil Hobson said: "Unfortunately I always said the skate park was not safe - it never has been safe. The park should have nice gates and fencing, so people would be safer and the park could be protected."

Councillor Pam Birchall, who supported plans for the park, said: "This is so sad to have happened to this lady - we will be looking at aspects of safety around the park, which will probably include fencing the area."