THE parents of a teenager who was impaled on 6ft railings for two hours are calling for a ban on spikes on fences.

Their comments came days after their 14-year-old daughter, Heather, slipped on railings and a six-inch spike pierced her chin - inches away fom a main artery that could have led to her losing the sight of an eye.

She has now been discharged from hospital and is recovering at her home in Ilkley.

The freak accident happened last Friday at Marsel House and Tesco on Springs Lane, Ilkley, and relieved parents Geoff and Carol Coles-Bayes said they wanted all of the hazardous objects removed.

"Luckily there is no lasting damage," said Mr Coles-Bayes. "But we were told by doctors that if the spike had been inches closer, she could have lost an eye.

"I would like to see those spikes come down. My daughter could have been killed."

Heather's mother said: "This whole ordeal has been horrific . Heather could have suffered instant death. It is an absolute miracle that she is alive. There is no need for any spikes to be positioned in this way.

"I think there should be a total ban. I am just hoping that something will be done about this matter - and fast."

Bradford Council has promised an immediate investigation into who owns the wall on which the spikes stand.

Brave Heather, a pupil of Ilkley Grammar School, remained calm throughout her ordeal.

"All I remember was talking to my friend, Lisa, and then I slipped," she said. "I could feel that I was caught on the railing.

"I tried to unhook myself but I couldn't do it. I was not hysterical, I was just shocked. Lisa ran to get help."

Danitos Safa, who runs the nearby Danitos Pizzas, alerted the emergency services on his mobile phone. They instructed him to keep her head up and her body straight.

Heather said: "I am just so grateful to him. He stayed with me and told me that if I survived he would give me a free pizza.I'll take him up on that."

Police, ambulance crews and firefighters from Idle and Shipley arrived with heavy cutting equipment. Nearly two hours later Heather was taken to Leeds general Infirmary under police escort.

The spike was removed in hospital and she underwent a further exploratory operation to ensure there was no further damage.

The wound was stitched up and banadaged and Heather was put on antibiotics and pain-killers. She went back to hospital yesterday for a check-up.

Heather said the whole family wished to thank all those involved in her rescue.

"Everyone was just excellent and I just want to say a big thank-you to them all," she added.

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