Washing Machine Tears Limb From Toddler

15 Nov 2011: A washing machine is something that almost everyone in the world has. They have come a long way since they were first invented, back in the 1700's. The first method of washing clothes and garments was a scrub board, which required a lot of manual labour to thoroughly clean clothes. Now, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to washing our clothes. There are top loaders, front loaders, dryers, small washing machines and large ones for bigger families.

When deciding what washing machine to rent for her family home, I'm sure Rachel Wrench, from Crewe in the UK, never thought she'd have to take into consideration how deadly it could be to her or her four children.

Rachel was in the living room, when her three year old son Lewis, who was in the kitchen, began screaming hysterically. She rushed in, only to find him crying on the floor, covered in blood and missing his left arm.

Understandably terrified, Rachel investigated what had happened to her precious son. When she asked Lewis, he said that he opened the washing machine door, and he went around and around and around, he hit his head, then his arm fell off.

The toddler was trying to help out his mum, by putting clothes into the front loader washing machine while it was running, and managed to open the door, which is terrifying for anyone with small children. Frighteningly, upon Lewis opening the door, the machine kept running.

Shortly after finding Lewis, Rachel called emergency services, and they rushed him to a local hospital, but unfortunately, were unable to reattach his arm. Lewis will require further surgery down the track and possibly the addition of a prosthetic arm; he has been too scared to return to his bedroom since the incident. His sister, Kadie, who is five, has been traumatised ever since she saw her younger brother in such a horrific state.

Rachel says that he is very wary of washing machines now, and tries to keep people away from them, but despite everything that's happened, has been very brave. She adds that he's young enough to be able to adapt to missing the arm that he used for everything.

The Creda 800 front loader washing machine that has been in the family home for two years is going to be investigated, to find out why it didn't switch off when the door was opened. Sufficed to say, Rachel will be purchasing her next washing machine, not renting one, and I'm sure a working cut off mechanism will be a must when making her decision on which one to buy.

Rachel says that everyone has provided her with amazing support. Friends, family and even the local police have rallied together to help raise money to help with any adjustments that will now be required to help Lewis live a fulfilling life. They also hope to be able to take him to Disneyland with any extra money that is raised.

To read the original story from UK's Crewe Chronicle website, click here: http

Washing Machine Tears Limb From Toddler