A two-year-old girl tragically died after falling into a garden pond at her family home on Christmas Day, a coroner's court has heard.
Family's desperate battle to save Isobel
Isobel Abigail Maxwell's family immediately began CPR after discovering the accident and continued for 25 minutes until paramedics arrived at the scene in Doncaster. The emergency services were alerted at approximately 4.45pm on December 25th.
Scarlett Harrison, the coroner's officer, told Doncaster Coroner’s Court that paramedics requested police assistance due to a toddler being in cardiac arrest. Isobel was then rushed under blue lights to Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where her death was confirmed at about 5.55pm that same day.
Inquest opened and adjourned
Senior coroner Nicola Mundy opened and adjourned the inquest into Isobel's death on Monday, January 12th. The full hearing is scheduled to take place on September 14th.
The court was informed that the incident occurred in the garden of the family home. Isobel's father has formally identified her, and the family has made arrangements with a funeral director for a cremation.
A 'magic girl' remembered with love
Following the devastating loss, Isobel's mother, Tamara Wallace, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community. Hundreds of people donated to an online fundraiser aimed at creating a memorial fairy garden in Isobel's honour.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Ms Wallace remembered her daughter's vibrant spirit, stating: "Everyone who knows Isobel and us knows how gifted she was, and that she lived more in her two years than some children did in a life time." She urged people to remember Isobel for "the magic girl she was, and the adventure and fire she had in her soul."
Isobel's aunt, Abigail Maxwell, who launched the GoFundMe page, described the event as a 'tragic accident' and a 'living nightmare' that happened during a family gathering. She explained that Isobel had been playing indoors with her own daughter and disappeared for a moment.
Ms Maxwell revealed that the pond had a temporary fence around it and was not a permanent feature the family wanted, but was there due to an ongoing house renovation. "As you can imagine, this is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to parents, to lose their baby," she said. "She was so happy, so loved and they were the best parents who gave her the most wonderful life."
