Ottawa firefighters help free child’s finger from toy shovel

Ottawa firefighters at Station 52 in Convent Glen helping a child whose finger had gotten trapped in a toy shovel. May 1, 2026. (Ottawa Fire Services/X)

Ottawa firefighters say they conducted a “different kind of extrication” on Friday, helping a child whose finger had gotten stuck in a toy shovel.

According to a post on the social media site X, a teacher from Convent Glen Catholic School brought the student, whose finger had become trapped in the toy, across the street to Station 52 at around 11:40 a.m.

“Firefighters quickly got to work, using side cutters to carefully chip away at the plastic. With a tight fit and a nervous patient, the delicate process took almost two hours to complete,” Nick DeFazio, public information officer with Ottawa Fire Services, wrote.

“Crews kept things positive throughout, helping calm the frightened and skittish child. Smarties proved to be the perfect motivation, with a small reward offered after each piece was chipped away.”

DeFazio says the child’s hand was safely freed and they left with a “stomach full of Smarties.”

“Residents are always welcome to stop by one of our fire stations for help,” DeFazio wrote. “Our crews are proud to be there when the community needs them, for emergencies big or small.”

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