Boy’s injuries show dangers of giant hogweed

Rowan Stribley (10) encountered the giant hogweed last Thursday along the canal path leading from Boston Castle to Canklow — and was still in pain four days later.

Giant hogweed can blind people and inflict severe burns if touched and can grow up to 10ft tall.

Widespread flooding and a mild winter earlier this year are thought to have led to the early resurgence of the potent plant across Britain and caused it to have an even greater presence in fields, woodlands, and even local allotments.

Mum Julie said Rowan and his fellow nature-loving siblings, from Canklow Road, Rotherham, had been told to watch out for it on their regular walks in Canklow Woods and Centenary Riverside Nature Reserve.

“The kids are foragers, they eat berries and we knew that (giant hogweed) was one to avoid,” she said.

“When you touch it, you don’t feel anything initially — it’s not like a nettle sting.”

Rowan didn’t realise until he woke up on Friday morning with red spots on his hand that he had been in contact with the poisonous plant.

“After you come into contact with it, you’re supposed to wash your hands immediately, but he didn’t and was playing in the sun for a couple of hours — that’s when the damage was done.”

Julie visited her local pharmacy on Friday but said that her chemist had not heard about hogweed burns.

“He looked at it and thought it was infected,” she said.

“He recommended getting antibiotics and seeing the GP.”

On the third day after touching the plant, Rowan’s hand began to blister (pictured).

The ten-year-old said the injury had felt like being stung and it had upset his school holiday.

He added: “I knew about this plant before, but I didn’t know it was this bad. I’m a bit scared about walking through the woods now.”

Julie added: “My husband and I planned to go and remove the plants ourselves but after reading guidance on how far the sap can splash and the equipment we’d need, we don’t feel capable.

“Rotherham Council’s website doesn’t appear to have anything published about the plant either and what to do if any are found.”

The council said giant hogweed was not widespread in Rotherham, with only two reports made in the last three years.

Residents can report giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and other invasive weeds on council land or close to public footpaths by filling in a form at www.rotherham.gov.uk/xfp/form/221