A 15-year-old boy's head was split open when heavy trapeze equipment crashed down on him as he played in a park.

Now his father is calling for urgent checks on equipment in parks throughout Thurrock, warning that a child could be killed if another accident happened.

Jimi Dickens was swinging from a metal trapeze ring at Corringham town park when it sheared from its overhead beam. He crashed to the ground and the 40lb metal fitting landed on his head.

He ran home to nearby Queen Elizabeth Drive, where he lives with his mum, with his head gushing blood.

His father John Dickens, of Shelley Place, Tilbury, said: "It's a wonder he wasn't killed. His head was split open so badly you could see his skull underneath.

"They released him from hospital after stitching him up but he is still off school after a week.''

Mr Dickens is worried the bolts fastening the trapeze ring to the beam were not strong enough.

"The trapeze was part of the play area near Somerfield's supermarket. There are similar play areas at parks all over the borough.

"I would like to see Thurrock Council carry out rigorous tests on all overhead beam equipment in its parks to make sure it is completely safe. And it should warn the manufacturers so other local authorities can be alerted to the danger.''

A council spokesman said there were overhead beams - called ten-plus units - with various equipment attached to them at three other parks in Thurrock. But none had trapeze rings identical to the one involved in the accident.

"There should be no safety problems with any of the equipment in other parks,'' she said.

"We are contacting the company which supplies the equipment and investigating with them to find what caused the accident.''

Injured - Jimi Dickens recovers in Basildon Hospital. Inset, the equipment which crashed down on top of him

Pictures: DAVE HENDERSON

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