doctor_slump 2008-7-15 12:46 AM
Australian boy's curiosity leads to wrecked bathroom
An Australian boy of two who stuck his fingers into the plughole of his bath to feel the suction as the water ran out ended up almost destroying the bathroom as rescuers fought to free him, they said Monday.
The Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service took six hours trying to get the youngster out of the mess after two of his fingers became trapped, the national AAP news agency reported.
"The hole was corroded so it turned when we tried to remove it, which caused pain to the young lad and we couldn't do much," said fire officer Bruce Quarrier.
"The crews had to work under the house and cut pipes away from there, so we could lift the bath up and get enough clearance.
"It has virtually destroyed the bathroom -- we had to cut tiles off the wall to dismantle the bath."
The boy, named only as Seth from the town of Bendigo in central Victoria, was eventually taken to Bendigo Base Hospital with his digits still stuck in the pipe and drain.
There hacksaws and hydraulic spreaders were used to free him.
"The boy was frightened at times, but was often laughing and in good spirits and came away with no cuts or bruises, just one blister," said Quarrier.
Despite the damage to the bathroom, the concerned parents and grandparents were just happy to see the boy freed, he said.