A four-year-old girl sitting in her pram was badly burned when a passing steam engine spat COAL over her.
Anysia Gardener was hurt when the “50p-sized” block of coal landed on her neck – leaving long-term scarring.
It ruined her day out with nan Alex Edwards, 66, who began “screaming and crying” as the block rolled down her granddaughter’s chin and stuck just below her neck.
Mum Charissa Chapman, 25, says she is taking legal action against Crosville Motor Service who own the steam engine, which travels on road.
She claims a gauze should have been fitted to the firebox to stop coal shooting out a pipe – and says other spectators were hit.
Eyewitnesses helped carry Anysia into a nearby hotel where her mum arrived followed by an ambulance.
She was then admitted to specialist burns unit in Bristol – 25 miles from where the incident happened in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Charissa also has a five-year-old daughter named Ivy who was at home.
She said: “Anysia had a swimming costume on and it hit the one exposed area – just below her neck towards the chin.
“As it went past, coal sprayed out of a pipe and left her with four 50p-sized deep burns.
“She then spent the evening in hospital for the evening and has been seeing specialists weekly to have the dressing changed.
“They are checking for infection and she cries every time – doctors say it will leave long-term scars but hope they fade over time.
“I found out what had happened 30 seconds after and was so worried. But when I arrived I couldn’t cry because I didn’t want to upset her.
Charissa, who lives with husband James, 25, in the town, added: “I am taking legal action against the firm – there should have been a gauze to protect spectators.
I know others were hit but I don’t think it was as bad.
“The thing that worries me is this steam engine gets used at many events – and if it hit a newborn baby in a pram it could have been fatal.”
The steam engine was in Weston as part of Crosville Motor Service’s vintage vehicle day on Beach Lawns.
Crosville Motor Service has been approached for comment.
