The father of a young girl who broke both arms and her nose while playing on a Whanganui rope swing is happy for it to stay in place.
The Mosquito Point swing has been enjoyed by kids for generations at a swimming hole in the Whanganui river.
However, the aging rope swing was taken down by a council concerned about its safety obligations in 2016.
This removal caused a stink with locals and after an outcry it was re-installed a year later with a fancy new metal pole replacing the rotting pine one.
Recently 10-year-old Piper lost her grip and took a tumble on the swing while her dad George watched on.
"Just before we were heading back we went for one more swing, and unfortunately when the swing was out Piper fell, and landed on the river bank, it was probably about five metres," George told TVNZ1's Seven Sharp.
However, he isn't blaming the swing for the accident.
"I don't have the problem with the swing it's been there for a long time.
"It's probably the fact that it might have been a bit slippery. She might have been a bit tired."
Mayor of Whanganui Hamish McDouall is also happy to keep the swing.
"Accidents will always happen. the thing we try and do is mitigate these accidents when they do happen. and to prevent them where possible," he says.
SHARE ME