EXCLUSIVE

by Sarah Shaffi
sshaffi@thekmgroup.co.uk

Toddler Ruby Collier and her parents were planning a day of presents and cake to celebrate her second birthday.

But their happy day turned into a nightmare when Ruby sliced her lip on a toy trumpet given to her by her mum and dad.

The tot's injury was so bad that she had to have plastic surgery and was left in a critical condition in hospital.

Mum Sophie Dunham, from Rainham, said: "There was blood everywhere and she was screaming. It was horrible.

"I cleaned her up and saw half her bottom lip had split from the inside of her mouth. It was hanging off.

"She became ill after the surgery as well, so it was just a nightmare birthday.

"For five hours it was touch and go. She looked limp and lifeless."

Ruby was playing with the Chad Valley toy at home in Caversham Close on October 6 when she smacked her lip on the plastic mouthpiece.

The £9.99 toy, which is marked as suitable for children over 18 months, sliced the left side of her bottom lip.

Ruby spent the rest of her birthday in Medway Maritime Hospital.

The next day she went to East Grinstead hospital to have surgery and became ill after the operation.

Miss Dunham, 31, said: "She was shaking and her temperature was going up. No one could figure out what was wrong."

Ruby's condition steadied that evening and the next she was allowed home to older brother Ryan, 12, and dad Dan Collier.

The family is now in touch with Medway Trading Standards about the trumpet, which was bought at Argos in Strood Retail Park.

Miss Dunham said: "I know accidents happen but you don't expect this sort of injury. She'll have a scar for the rest of her life.

"I think the toy is dangerous and I don't want any other family go through what we did."

A spokesman for Argos, whose parent company Home Retail Group owns Chad Valley, said: "We have robust stock checking procedures in place to ensure all products included in the catalogue and available online are suitable to sell to customers.

"Once the item has been returned for us to carry out test procedures, we will have a clearer picture of how we can progress this case and try to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of Miss Dunham and her family."