Toddler Drowns in Devon River While Father Tended Sheep Nearby
A two-year-old girl tragically drowned in a Devon river after being left to play unsupervised while her father worked in a nearby field. The incident, which occurred in June 2023, has prompted a coroner to issue a stark warning about the hidden dangers of shallow water for young children.
Heartbreaking Final Moments
Eva-Rose Wainwright, aged just two years and five months, was found face down in a stream in Lifton, Devon. Her father, Charles Wainwright, had left her playing in what he described as shallow water with a maximum depth of approximately 30 centimetres while he went to round up sheep from a field.
Mr Wainwright stated that he checked on his daughter two or three times during the brief period she was alone. However, when he returned between fifteen and twenty minutes later, he discovered her motionless in the water. He immediately began CPR after realising she was not breathing.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Without a mobile phone to hand, Mr Wainwright had to carry his daughter approximately 300 metres back to a nearby property to call emergency services. Paramedics were dispatched to the scene, but despite continued resuscitation efforts, Eva-Rose was pronounced dead at 6.50pm.
The inquest, held in Exeter, heard that the emergency response, which included the Cornwall Air Ambulance, was initially delayed as responders struggled to locate the pair. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as drowning. The pathologist noted a bruise on the toddler's forehead but concluded it would not have caused her death, though it may have contributed to disorientation prior to drowning.
Police conducted an investigation but found no evidence of third-party involvement, and no charges were brought. Coroner Alison Longhorn recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Coroner's Warning and Family Tribute
Describing it as a "truly tragic death of a little girl," Coroner Longhorn emphasised the risks. "This really demonstrates the dangers that shallow water presents to young children left unsupervised even in or near shallow water," she stated during the proceedings.
An online obituary paid tribute to Eva-Rose, describing her as "adored" and expressing the profound loss felt by her family. "Left us far too soon on Friday, June 16, 2023, aged two years and five months. Adored daughter of Charlie and Kyra-Jo, a loving sister, granddaughter and niece. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Forever in all our hearts," the notice read.
Broader Context of Water Safety
This tragic incident underscores a significant public safety issue. According to the National Water Safety Forum, approximately 400 people drown in the United Kingdom each year. The case of Eva-Rose Wainwright serves as a poignant and devastating reminder of how quickly accidents can occur, even in seemingly benign environments like shallow streams, and highlights the critical importance of constant supervision for young children around any body of water.
