A two-year-old girl died on Christmas Day after falling into a pond in her family's garden, with relatives battling to save her life with CPR for 25 minutes before an ambulance arrived, a coroner's court has heard.
A Desperate Fight to Save Isobel
Isobel Abigail Maxwell had been playing happily with toys at her family home in Doncaster when she disappeared from view. The toddler was discovered in the pond by family members during a gathering on the afternoon of December 25th.
Coroner's officer Scarlett Harrison told Doncaster Coroner's Court that the family commenced CPR immediately and called 999. They continued resuscitation efforts for a full 25 minutes before paramedics could rush Isobel to Doncaster Royal Infirmary under blue lights.
The incident was reported to South Yorkshire Police at around 4.45pm by the ambulance service. Tragically, the little girl's death was confirmed in hospital at approximately 5.55pm that same day.
A Family's Living Nightmare
In a statement following the hearing, Isobel's father confirmed her identity and the family has since chosen a funeral director, with a cremation planned.
The pond was described as having a temporary fence around it. Isobel's aunt, Abigail Maxwell, who set up a GoFundMe appeal, explained the 'tragic accident' happened in a moment. She said Isobel had been playing with her own daughter inside the house before briefly disappearing.
"We couldn't find her for a moment and, in that moment, she's gone in the garden and fell in the pond," Ms Maxwell said. She added that the pond 'was not there through choice but due to a house move, their forever home which they were renovating'.
Remembering a 'Magic Girl'
Isobel's mother, Tamara Wallace, has expressed profound gratitude for the hundreds of people who contributed to an online fundraiser aimed at creating a memorial fairy garden.
On Facebook, Ms Wallace remembered her daughter's vibrant spirit, writing: '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 focus on Isobel's life, saying: 'We also want people to remember Isobel for the magic girl she was, and the adventure and fire she had in her soul, and how much light she brought, not for her sad passing.'
Assistant Coroner Nicola Mundy adjourned the case until September 14th, when a full inquest will be held to examine the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss.
