Two-year-old tot killed by unsecured fireplace and TV that weren't fixed to wall
A court has heard how a two-year-old was killed by a falling fireplace and TV that weren't secured to the wall.
Carter Walsh, sadly died whilst he danced in the living room of his Wigan home on Wednesday, September 18.
An inquest by the coroner's court was opened in the tragic death of the toddler, who was suffered fatal injuries after a marble fireplace and a TV fell on top of him.
READ MORE:Grieving mum of son who died from tragic fall backs organ donation after he saved three lives
READ MORE:Wanted man on the run may be in Glasgow as cops share warning
The inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court has heard how the fireplace was not secured to the wall and the TV, which wasn't described, was sitting on top of it. The TV was also not attached to the wall.
The court heard that "workmen" who were at the property lifted the fireplace and TV off Carter as the emergency services were called. Sadly, the tot died in hospita, the Mirror reports.
Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were all alerted to the incident at around 2.15pm on Wednesday, September 18 at an address in Wigan,
Police coroner's officer Julieann Hyde, giving evidence at the brief opening, said Carter was being looked after by a relative at the time while his mother, Samantha Walsh, was at work. She said the television was 'balanced' on top of the marble fireplace, which wasn't fixed to the wall in the living room.
She said workmen 'lifted' the fireplace and television from him. Carter was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, but he was sadly pronounced dead at 3.29pm, the court heard. A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as head injuries.
None of Carter's family were present at the hearing, which was presided over by coroner Professor Dr Alan Walsh. Prof Walsh formerly released Carter's body and ordered statements to be gathered from Greater Manchester Police and the hospital ahead of a full inquest hearing.
"I send my condolences to members of Carter's family and I will adjourn this inquest to be resumed at a later date," he said. Speaking of the tragedy for the first time last week, Carter's mum Ms Walsh, 38, paid tribute to her 'best friend' and 'the apple of our eyes'.
She said: "He was well-loved, not just by his family but by anybody that met him. He broke the hearts of everybody he met... He was the apple of our eyes." His devastated aunt, meanwhile, Natalie Prescot, 35, said Carter had had the 'best day ever' with his family on the Wednesday before his tragic death. He had been for lunch at a carvery restaurant with her mum, sister and daughter, before they went to see some horses.
In a statement issued, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 2.15pm on Wednesday September 18, officers were called to reports regarding a concern for welfare of a child on Fisher Close, Wigan. Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, a two-year-old boy later died at hospital.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.