Family's horror after four Farnworth teenagers suffer horrific hogweed burns while playing in Moses Gate Country Park

Four Harper Green School pupils were building a den near Cromptons Lodge on Saturday when they appear to have come into contact with giant hogweed. 

Two of the teenagers suffered such bad blisters that they were taken to A&E, with the worst affected still in hospital.

Emma Hilton says her son Reid Daley, aged 13, who lives in Westhoughton, will have to be protected from sunlight for two-to-three years, as the damage will make his skin vulnerable to burning. 

She said doctors at the Royal Bolton Hospital were initially flummoxed by the burns, with consultants having to look up the effects of hogweed as it is so rare.

Giant hogweed leaves long-lasting scars on humans and can cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes. It can grow to up to five metres in height. 

Planting giant hogweed or allowing it to grow in the wild is illegal in Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. 

Hospital bosses advised anyone who comes into contact with it to wash the areas affected with soap and water, and wear long-sleeved clothing.

Blisters and burns can occur if the skin is then exposed to direct sunlight, and if the plant touches patients' eyes they must report to A&E immediately as it can cause blindness. 

Ms Hilton said: "They just got steadily worse after Saturday and we took him to the doctor on Monday, and then on to A&E. 

"He has thrown up because of the pain. I am really worried. 

"I can't believe I have not come across this before and my friends are watching their dogs closely while out on walks. 

"It is very toxic. The doctors are trying to keep the blisters in tact so the sap does not escape.
"He must keep sun-blocking ans any UV exposure will cause him to burn immediately. 

She added: "I hope doctors and hospital departments are more aware of this now but hopefully others will stay away from this and other outbreaks will not occur.

"I don't know anyone else who has had this but parents must be aware, especially with the school holidays about to start. 

Reid suffered sores on his arms and hands, as well as on the back of his neck, and is having to return to hospital for daily appointments.

The boy most severely affected, Conor Knott, suffered shocking sores and burns down his arms and legs.

The 13-year-old's aunt, Rachel Brooks, said: "They were building a den and they had been ripping up what they thought were roots and got sap all over themselves.

"It was fine and they did not notice anything was wrong until a couple of days later when the blisters started appearing.

"From then on, it has continued to get worse and worse.

"He has now spent three nights in hospital.

"The hospital did not really know what to do, the doctors said they had not seen anything like it before.

"It is horrible to see him like this."

The other two boys suffered some sores in reaction to the plant but these are not thought to be as severe.

Ms Hilton said she has contacted Bolton Council about putting warning signs up at Moses Gate Country Park, and questioned why some are not already in place.

A council spokesman said: "We were very sorry to hear of the injuries to four children caused by giant hogweed in Moses Gate Country Park.

"Our policy, which follows the DEFRA code of practice, is to immediately treat all instances of giant hogweed on our land to remove its presence.

"As soon as we were made aware of this plant by one of the parents of the children, we began treatment to remove it.

"We will continue to remove any giant hogweed as soon as it is reported, and would like to encourage the public to report any instances of what they believe to be giant hogweed on council land to neighbourhoodservicesinbox@bolton.gov.uk or by calling 01204 334067.

“In this case, it is difficult to put up warning signs, especially over a large area such as Moses Gate Park, with a number of formal and informal ways to access the park.”

It is thought the hogweed is on land owned by the Canal Trust. 

There have also been reports of giant hogweed in Clifton Country Park. 

A spokesman for the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "This is a phototoxic plant and problems arise when people affected are exposed to the sun.

We encounter very few cases such as this and advise people to wash the areas affected with soap and water, and wear long-sleeved clothing."