A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy could have his thumb amputated after his hand became trapped in his buggy.

The parents of Luke Hensley are considering legal action against the buggy manufacturer Maclaren after the pushchair 'just collapsed' during a shopping trip to The Chimes, in Uxbridge High Street.

The accident happened on Friday afternoon and Luke was rushed to Hillingdon Hospital, in Pield Heath Road, then spent a day undergoing plastic surgery to repair his thumb at Wexham Park Hospital on Saturday.

His father, Mark Hensley, of St Mary's Road, Harefield, says the family are now considering legal action against Maclaren, whose pushchairs were alleged to have caused a spate of injuries in the US.

He said: "Both his thumbs were caught in the side as it collapsed.

"One of his thumbs is broken, and the skin was severed under his nail and the bone was cracked.

"My wife, who was with him as it happened, was horrified.

"When I phoned Maclaren I was told this only happened in America but I have proof otherwise."

Luke's grandfather is Hillingdon Council member John Hensley, who represents the Ickenham ward.

He said: "Buggies aren't supposed to collapse like this.

"We do not know if there is any long-term injury yet, in around a month's time we will know how it has healed.

"If in fact it has got worse then there is a possibility the thumb could have to be amputated.

"He is right-handed, and it was his right hand which came off worst, but in fact he was lucky it wasn't double the pain, as both thumbs got caught."

Maclaren refused to comment, but is carrying out its own investigation into the incident.

It has organised a courier to collect the buggy, which is two years old, so the company can examine the circumstances which could have led to the accident.

Maclaren describes itself on its website as 'producing the world's most safe, durable, innovative and stylish baby buggies'.

All of its pushchairs conform to European safety standards. More than one million Maclaren pushchairs

have been recalled in the US after reports of children injuring their fingers.

Some 15 families in the UK are said to have consulted personal injury lawyers in relation to similar incidents.