An investigation has been launched after a woman and two-year-old child were injured by flying glass which crashed from the roof of Carlisle's The Lanes shopping centre.

Nikita Moore, 23, and toddler Eden Ewings were taken to hospital by ambulance after the lunchtime incident. They were both treated for minor cuts.

The pair were shopping in Carlisle after travelling from South Shields to visit family.

The Lanes management - who provided initial first aid - will work with the Health and Safety Executive as part of an investigation into the incident which happened at 12.55pm yesterday.

Eden's mum Kelly Ewings, who is Nikita's cousin, said they were visiting her mother Deborah Nelson, who runs the Caledonian pub in Botchergate.

She said: "I stayed back at the pub but my mum went shopping with Nikita, Eden and my one-year-old baby Neve. Mum came back to the pub with Neve because she needed feeding so they weren't there when it happened."

Mrs Ewings said the first she knew of it was a phone call from Nikita to tell her what had happened.

"She told me glass had smashed down from the roof where there were contractors working," she said.

"We called an ambulance and they were taken to hospital where Eden had her cuts cleaned up. Nikita had to have hers glued. I have to say the management at The Lanes were very good and treated us well."

The pair were allowed home after treatment and made their way back to the north-east with the rest of the family.


David Jackson, The Lanes' commercial director, said: "Our first concern is for the two people injured in the accident. Members of our team attended the scene and administered first aid. Paramedics attended and examined both and no further treatment was deemed necessary on site.

"We hope that they both make a full recovery from this unfortunate experience. We are grateful for the swift actions of our onsite team who acted quickly to provide first aid, secure the area and start the clean-up process.

"We were also grateful for the support of others on site and the cooperation of the general public.

"We will liaise with HSE and will continue to work with them as part of a full investigation into this matter."