Mum 'tried desperately to save crush death girl'

The mother of a little girl crushed to death by an electronic gate has spoken of her agony at failing to save her.

Six-year-old Semelia Campbell was playing with a friend near her home on Carnival Place, Moss Side, Manchester, on Monday night when the motorised gate closed on her.

Her mother Judith Gilroy was among the first on the scene and she tried in vain to free her daughter who was pinned against a brick post.

Ms Gilroy visited the spot where the accident happened on Wednesday as family and friends tearfully laid flowers.

Reliving her nightmare, Ms Gilroy, 41, said she tried pressing the electronic button to open the gate, and also tried to use a remote control, but neither worked. She said the accident would not have happened if the gates were secured.

The schoolgirl was eventually freed when police broke off an electronic box. She was rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary but died from her injuries a short time later. It is thought Semelia suffered a heart attack as well as massive crush injuries.