FIREFIGHTERS swapped their wellies and waterproofs for surgical gowns on Monday night when they assisted medics with a delicate operation.

The team from Red Watch was called to Warrington Hospital at 7.30pm after three-year-old Morgan Haidek was admitted with a plughole stuck on her finger.

A&E staff had attempted to free her finger using petroleum jelly, but when they did not succeed they called the fire brigade at the Winwick Road station.

Station Officer John Melia was one of the first on the scene.

"The drain fitting was made of a very hard alloy," he said, "and we couldn't cut it, even with the equipment the doctors use for amputations."

But then DIY giants B&Q came to the rescue.

"I sent two fire appliances out to the B&Q stores in Winwick and Milner Street," said John, "and we did a 'trolley-dash' to get a selection of tools.

"They were really good and let us borrow anything we needed."

The firefighters gave Morgan, of Lowton, a 'Trauma Ted,' a cute furry toy they carry on the fire appliance, to cuddle during her ordeal and entertained her with Tellytubby impressions. Most of the plughole was cut from Morgan's finger in A&E before she was anaesthetised in theatre to remove the final section. The firefighters scrubbed up and donned surgical masks and gowns to complete the procedure.

Morgan's mum, Julia, and dad, Verner, paid tribute to the fire crews and hospital staff for their prompt action.

"We were absolutely distraught and obviously Morgan was very upset," said Verner, "but everyone reacted very calmly and the fire officers were wonderful.

"Everyone went beyond the call of duty in what was an extraordinary situation. We can only thank them from the bottom of our hearts."

Morgan was discharged from hospital on Tuesday afternoon and is recovering from her ordeal at home.

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