**Teenager Undergoes Surgery After Stepping on Discarded Glass at Aberavon Beach**
A popular Welsh beach has come under scrutiny after a local teenager required surgical treatment when he stepped on broken glass while swimming. The incident unfolded on a Friday evening at Aberavon Beach, a well-frequented coastal spot in Port Talbot. Fifteen-year-old Nico Divetta sustained a deep cut to his left foot that resulted in immediate hospitalisation and ultimately surgery to extract shards of glass embedded in his flesh.
Nico had been socialising with a group of friends, taking advantage of the milder seasonal weather, when events took a distressing turn. According to his mother, Amanda Divetta, she became concerned after her son failed to respond to her messages as she arrived to pick him and his sister up from the beach. Nico’s friends ended up carrying him to the car, as he was unable to walk due to the severity of the pain.
The family, residents of Skewen in Neath Port Talbot, rushed Nico to Swansea’s Morriston Hospital. Medical assessments there confirmed that the foot wound was not just a surface cut—small shards of glass were found still lodged within the tissue. Clinicians determined the foreign objects required surgical intervention to clean the area properly and prevent infection or further complications.
Speaking to reporters, Amanda described the trauma: “When I arrived, Nico was clearly in a state of panic. There was blood everywhere and he was struggling to walk. It was obvious something serious had happened.” She recounted that Nico, a former Ysgol Bae Baglan pupil, had just exited the sea when he felt a sharp pain in his foot and then noticed blood in the water, along with a shattered bottle at the shoreline.
Post-operation, Nico’s injury was stitched and bandaged, and he was prescribed antibiotics to stave off any ensuing infections. His mother shared that the event was highly distressing for the teenager. “He was trying to be brave, but as soon as he was in the car, the reality hit him hard,” Amanda said.
Beyond the immediate family’s distress, the incident has underscored concerns about beachgoers neglecting to dispose of their rubbish responsibly. Amanda, reflecting on the wider issue, stated, “Nico is always careful and takes his litter home, as do most of his friends. Sadly, not everyone is as considerate. There’s a growing problem with bottles, cans, and other rubbish being left strewn around, particularly near the ‘dog side’ of the smaller beach.”
She expressed worries for the welfare of other beach users, especially younger children. “If a toddler had trodden on that glass, the consequences could have been even worse. People just don’t think about the impact when they leave dangerous rubbish behind.”
Environmental hazards at beaches are an ongoing issue in many parts of Wales. Local authorities and community groups have repeatedly urged visitors to act responsibly and take their litter away, especially during busier periods. The risk of discarded glass, in particular, is a longstanding concern due to the number of incidents involving injuries to both people and animals.
Calls have now been renewed for increased surveillance, the provision of more bins, and targeted awareness campaigns to combat littering at Aberavon Beach and similar coastal areas. Campaigners hope this latest incident will serve as a stark reminder of the potential harm caused by thoughtless disposal of rubbish.
The Divetta family now face a difficult recovery period as Nico heals from his injury, but they remain determined to raise awareness about the dangers of littering. They hope that by publicising their experience, others might be encouraged to act more responsibly and keep public spaces safer for everyone.