Published: Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 9:00am

Impaling horror

by David Knox

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The spiked railings at Shawfield Cemetary where the boy fell.
Pic by: Borders Press Agency

A TEENAGER is recovering in hospital after being impaled on railings at a Selkirk graveyard.

Connor McCurdy, 15, was attempting to climb over a wall from scrubland at Thirlestane Terrace when he slipped onto the spiked railings surrounding a grave plot within Shawfield Cemetery.

He fell almost four feet onto the spikes, suffering injuries to his upper leg and hand.

One nearby resident who went to help told the Border Telegraph: 'He was in an awful lot of pain.

'There was blood all over the boy and the railings – he was really lucky it was just his leg.

'The paramedics had to hold him while the firemen removed the railings.'

Fire crews from Selkirk and Galashiels were required to cut through the spikes for ambulance staff to take the boy to Borders General Hospital.

A spokeswoman for the Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Hydraulic cutting equipment was used to help free the youth from the railings.'

The teenager required emergency treatment at the hospital.

A spokeswoman for the BGH confirmed that he was recovering well yesterday (Tuesday).

Scottish Borders Council launched a safety probe following the incident.

A spokesperson said: 'We were made aware of the accident and a health and safety investigation was launched immediately.'