Why this photo of a play park will give every parent nightmares

A West Australian father and his family will have an anxious wait after his eight-year-old son was pricked by a used syringe whilst playing in an Esperance playground.

The boy was playing in Dixon Park on Saturday with friends when he picked up a black plastic bag, The West Australian reports.

He and another friend were both pricked by used needles and will now have to undergo testing for various diseases, including HIV.

Children were playing at Dixon Park in Esperance when they were pricked by discarded syringes. Source: Facebook/Daniel Edgar
Children were playing at Dixon Park in Esperance when they were pricked by discarded syringes. Source: Facebook/Daniel Edgar

The boy told his father that he had "found a drug needle" whilst playing in the sand.

Daniel Edgar called Esperance Council and the park was immediately closed after another eight syringes were found.

Mr Edgar posted photos to Facebook showing where the needles had been located.

Daniel Edgar posted this picture to Facebook, showing where the syringes had been found. Source: Facebook/Daniel Edgar
Daniel Edgar posted this picture to Facebook, showing where the syringes had been found. Source: Facebook/Daniel Edgar

"There were six little bags scattered around the park ... I put all the bags in a bucket and we took my son to the hospital and they did a series of blood tests," he told The West Australian.

Describing the incident as "terrifying," Mr Edgar told The ABC on Monday it's "been the longest two days of my life ... As a parent, you sit there fearing the worst that the result will come back with something."

Syringes had been found in plastic bags. Source: Facebook/Daniel Edgar
Syringes had been found in plastic bags. Source: Facebook/Daniel Edgar

The playground has remained closed since Sunday morning, with the sand replaced and a $500 cash reward on offer for anyone who is able to provide Esperance council with information on the people responsible.

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