Neighbours told of their horror after rushing from their Oakbank Road flats when they heard the 20-year-old youth worker's frantic screams.
The woman, named locally as Kirsty Scott, was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with the spike still embedded in her chin on Monday.
She had spent half an hour stuck on the fence during desperate efforts to free her.
After undergoing emergency surgery, she remained there in intensive care last night.
Firefighters had to use a hack saw to cut her free because the iron prong was too deeply embedded to risk using mechanical cutting equipment.
The trauma team was dispatched from Ninewells to aid the recovery effort. The woman was conscious throughout her ordeal.
Neighbours said she had slipped on the pathway from the Oakbank Road flats as she was leaving for work at the youth service base in the town centre's Scott Street.
The woman's downstairs neighbour, Graeme Johnson, said: ''It was just before 9am and I heard a lot of commotion.
''I went out and the woman was on her knees on the step — I initially thought she was just leaning over to speak to someone down below but realised how serious it was.
''Her boyfriend was there, and another woman, and they appeared to be helping so I just went in and called the ambulance.
''I didn't think there was much else I could do because I'm not great with blood.''
Mr Johnson said he had earlier put salt on the step but it had probably iced over again because of the rain.
Another neighbour said: ''It was horrific —she was screaming and couldn't move herself.
''The spike had gone through the bottom of her chin but we're not sure if it had come up into her mouth or not.
''I went out to see if there was anything I could do but there were already people there and then the fire engine turned up.
''If it had been slightly to the side either way, I think she could have been killed.''
It is understood the woman was accompanied to Ninewells by her partner.
A senior staff member at the Scott Street youth services centre said Miss Scott is ''very popular, both with the staff and the young people she works with''.
He said: ''Firstly, our thoughts are with Kirsty, and we just hope she makes a full recovery. It is an awful thing to happen and we just hope she will be okay. Kirsty is involved with health issues and she is the first port of call for people when they come in to see us.''
He added: ''She helped set up the smoking cessation group and goes out to do school talks. She's great to work with and she is very well liked by everyone.''
An ambulance spokesman said: ''The trauma team was dispatched and the woman was uplifted to Ninewells accident and emergency. The patient was conscious and breathing throughout.''
A fire service spokesman described the operation to free the stricken victim as ''delicate'' but successful.
Originally Posted by Chris
Reply With Quote
"
