Boy, 2, Died After TV And Fireplace Fell on Him While He Was Dancing, Authorities Say
Greater Manchester Police Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead told the inquest, “He didn’t suffer, he didn’t know what was going on.”
An accident has been declared in the death of a toddler who was crushed when a television and fireplace fell on top of him.
According to BBC News and Wigan Today, Carter Walsh, 2, was dancing to the YouTube program Cocomelon at his English home in September when the marble fireplace and television fell on top of him.
According to The Manchester Evening News, the television, which weighed up to 30 kg (66 lbs.), was unlocked when the incident occurred.
According to the outlets, Carter was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead after being rendered unconscious and experiencing cardiac arrest.
Greater Manchester Police Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead told the inquest that he thought the boy “had gone towards the fireplace” and “grabbed the mantelpiece” prior to being crushed.
Woodhead clarified, “He didn’t suffer, he didn’t know what was going on,” according to BBC News. “It happened in an instant.”
On Friday, December 20, the Bolton Coroner’s Court declared that the boy’s death was an accident.
According to BBC News, coroner Peter Sigee of the Greater Manchester West area stated that Carter’s death “was caused by a head injury” he received in the collision.
Manchester Police declined to comment further on the case when PEOPLE contacted the coroner on December 20.
According to the Evening News, the boy’s grandmother, Helen Mayhew, stated at the inquest that her grandson “was just a happy toddler.”
Woodhead agreed. The detective inspector informed the inquest that the child was content and well-cared for. “This accident is tragic.” He received a lot of love and support.
According to Wigan News, Carter was being watched by a relative at the time of the incident.
Before Carter was killed, family members had a plan to secure the television, Mayhew told the inquest.
“My husband and I were looking at what we needed to secure it the day before the accident,” she recalled. “There were no fittings to attach them to the wall, but they were resting against it.”
