Woman hurt as festive lights fall

The collapse caused masonry to fall to the street, hitting the woman

A woman who was pushing a child in a buggy has been badly injured by Christmas lights which collapsed, causing bricks to fall onto her head.

She was walking in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, when the festoon came away from its anchor and fell onto a moving car.

Ambulance staff said the child was unhurt but the woman suffered suspected head injuries and a broken shoulder.

The switching on of the lights by Chas and Dave has been cancelled.

The lights were attached to the parapet of the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society in the High Street.

Structural checks

Alison Rolls, from the Norwich and Peterborough, said: "We are really upset to hear this lady has been injured.

"We are keeping in regular contact with the hospital to find out how she is.

Structural surveys are to be carried out on all lights in the town

"We believe the weight of the lights pulled them off the wall."

Health and Safety inspectors and a structural engineer from St Neots Town Council visited the scene and the council immediately cancelled the switch-on celebrations.

In a statement, St Neots Town Council, said: "We very much regret the circumstances surrounding the failure of a Christmas light fixing and the injury to a member of the public.

"The Council, having regard to the over-riding need to ensure public safety, has taken the decision to cancel all arrangements for the switch-on.

"All light fittings will now be checked by contractors and structural engineers."