Second-Grader Injured by Steel Wire at Beigang Water Tower Park; Councilors Demand Comprehensive Inspection

A second-grade student in Yunlin County, identified as Xiao Cheng, was injured on the 20th while playing at the Beigang Water Tower Park. He was cut on the neck by a steel wire hanging at the entrance and fell heavily to the ground, suffering head and neck injuries. His parents are not ruling out a state compensation claim. Councilor Tsai Meng-chen has demanded that the county government conduct a comprehensive inspection of the safety of all recreational areas. The Yunlin County Cultural and Tourism Department stated today that they received a call from the child's parents on the morning of the 21st. The child had collided with a fixed wire left by a former vendor to hang lanterns on the afternoon of the 20th. The department urged the parents to take the child to the doctor as soon as possible, asked them to keep relevant receipts, and promised to fully assist with subsequent insurance claims while continuing to monitor the child's condition. The department explained that the park is a public open space and that they had removed the wire causing the accident yesterday. They also placed traffic cones and warning signs reading "Level difference, watch your step" at the entrance and are comprehensively inspecting and strengthening safety management in the park. The child's mother said that on the afternoon of the 20th, while the child was playing in the park, he suddenly fell backward while passing through an entrance, hitting his head hard on the ground and suffering extensive abrasions on his neck. Looking closely, she discovered a steel wire hanging at the entrance, with no warning signs at all. The mother pointed out that after the child was sent to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed a mild concussion and said he still needs to be observed for signs of brain hemorrhage. The neck abrasions require daily return visits for dressing changes. She stated, "I am not ruling out filing for state compensation." Democratic Progressive Party Yunlin County Councilor Tsai Meng-chen demanded that the Yunlin County Government, which is responsible for managing the park, review whether regular inspections were conducted and inspect the safety of all recreational parks in the county.