Toddler's death was 'tragic accident', coroner rules

The boy died after falling through an open window

The death of a toddler who fell from a third-storey building was a "tragic accident", a coroner has ruled.

Paddy Davis sustained severe head injuries after falling from the property in Shurdington, near Cheltenham. He died on 19 June at 22:47 BST at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

Moments before the accident, the two-year-old had been sitting on his mother's bed while she turned away to change her clothes.

Coroner Roland Wooderson told the inquest that this was a "tragic accident" and the death would be recorded as accidental.

The inquest heard from Dr Omer Aziz, a paediatric intensive care consultant at the hospital, who said Paddy had died from traumatic brain and abdominal injuries.

Dr Aziz said Gemma, the toddler's mother, told hospital staff she had brought Paddy home from playing with friends.

They washed and then Gemma put Paddy on her double bed which was pushed up against the window in her bedroom. The window and bed are the same height.

The window was pushed open because it was hot and had a blind pulled over it.

Paddy Davis died of severe head injuries on the 19 June

Gemma turned her back to put on a t-shirt and, on hearing a sound, looked over to see that the toddler was gone.

She looked out the window and realised her son had fallen.

Sgt Sophie Royle, from Gloucestershire Police, told the hearing their investigations concluded it was an unsuspicious accidental death.