Inquest Hears Two-Year-Old Died After TV and Fireplace Collapse

An inquest was informed that a two-year-old boy, Carter Walsh, passed away after a television and a marble fireplace fell, hitting him on the head. The incident occurred on September 18 at his residence in Wigan, Greater Manchester, shortly after he had been dancing to the children’s show Cocomelon. Bolton Coroners’ Court heard that the television, weighing between four and 4.7 stone (25 and 30kg), was positioned on the fireplace, and neither item had been secured to the living room wall of the rented property located in Fisher Close. The young child lost consciousness and experienced cardiac arrest, subsequently being declared deceased at the hospital. Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead of Greater Manchester Police stated at the inquest: “I believe he had gone towards the fireplace and potentially grabbed the mantelpiece.” He further described Carter as “quite an inquisitive young man and had been dancing away in front of the television.” Det Insp Woodhead emphasized, “He didn’t suffer, he didn’t know what was going on. It was an instantaneous event.” He concluded by saying, “Carter was a very happy, well looked after child. This is a tragic accident.” Greater Manchester West area coroner Peter Sigee determined the death to be an accident and conveyed to Carter’s family: “I give my condolences and I am so sorry we have had to meet in such tragic circumstances.” Elucidating his conclusions, Mr. Sigee stated: “Carter’s death was caused by a head injury suffered in an accident within his home earlier that day when a TV and a fireplace, which the tenant of the property had installed but was not secured, toppled over and struck him.” The inquest revealed that a relative was looking after Carter when the accident occurred, as his mother was at work. The lounge door had been shut because the landlord and workmen were occupied in another part of the property; they assisted in removing the fallen items from Carter after the event. On Friday, Carter’s grandmother, Helen Mayhew, provided testimony, mentioning that the room had recently undergone decoration and new carpets had been installed. When questioned about the apparent security of the TV and fireplace, she informed the inquest: “The day before the accident, me and my husband were looking at what we needed to secure it. They were resting against the wall but there were no fittings to attach it. The plan had been to secure it.” Ms. Mayhew indicated that the family was unaware of how the fireplace had unexpectedly fallen. She stated: “That’s one of the questions we had. Did Carter stand on it? Did Carter pull on it? We don’t know. He was just a happy toddler.” Forensic pathologist Dr. Jamie Robinson informed the coroner that Carter sustained a severe injury to the right side of his head, which, according to him, would have caused immediate unconsciousness. Dr. Robinson further commented: “He would not have survived, regardless of any medical intervention.”