A DOG walker was left in “excruciating pain” after falling into a hole which was covered over by freshly cut grass in Apex Park.

Sarah Thorne was enjoying throwing a ball for her cocker spaniel Betsy after walking along the River Brue and into a grassed area where people take their pets.

However, the grass gave way and Sarah fell into a large crack in the ground. She had forgotten her mobile so couldn’t call for help and had to struggle home in a lot of pain.

She told the Weekly News: “The grass had just been cut by the looks of it as there was freshly cut grass laying on top that had not been picked up. I carried on walking happily with my dog - she was chasing the ball when I badly fell down a big crack in the ground that was covered in grass so I couldn’t see it. My ankle twisted badly and I was on the floor in agony. I managed to get myself up and hobble a bit but to my horror then fell down another crack in the ground. This time I was in a lot of pain, but had no choice but to limp home.

“Finally I got home after a long limp and excruciating pain and managed to take my boot off to see that my ankle was hugely swollen, in fact you couldn’t see the ankle bone.”

Sarah, who works as a nurse at Weston Hospital, said she had to take the day off work, after the fall last Friday, as the ankle was too painful to walk on. She attended A&E and was told it was badly sprained.

She added: “I have been on regular pain relief medication and I’m still in pain now.

“My concern is that if this was an elderly person or child they would have injured themselves badly.” Sarah now plans to send a letter to Sedgemoor District Council, which manages the park, to voice her concerns over the dangerous cracks hidden beneath the grass.

A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council told the Weekly News: “Apex Park is built on old clay pits.

“ As there has been a very dry spell, the clay has dried out to a certain extent, which has caused some cracking. We urge walkers to take additional care.”