A two-year-old girl tragically lost her life after falling into a garden pond at her family home in Doncaster on Christmas Day, a coroner's court has heard.
Desperate Attempts to Save Isobel
Isobel Abigail Maxwell was discovered in the pond during a family gathering on the afternoon of 25 December. Her family immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and called the emergency services.
Coroner's officer Scarlett Harrison told Doncaster Coroner's Court that the incident was reported to South Yorkshire Police at around 4.45pm by the ambulance service. The family continued life-saving efforts for approximately 25 minutes before paramedics rushed Isobel to Doncaster Royal Infirmary under blue lights.
Inquest Opened and Adjourned
Despite the frantic efforts of her family and medical professionals, the toddler's death was confirmed in hospital at about 5.55pm on Christmas Day. Senior coroner Nicola Mundy opened and adjourned the inquest into Isobel's death on Monday.
The hearing was informed that Isobel's father had formally identified his daughter and that the family had chosen a funeral director, with a cremation planned. Ms Mundy adjourned the full inquest until 14 September to allow for further investigations.
A Family's Heartbreaking Loss
In a statement following the tragedy, Isobel's mother, Tamara Wallace, expressed gratitude for the support shown through an online fundraiser aimed at creating a memorial fairy garden. She remembered her daughter as a "magic girl" full of adventure and light.
Isobel's aunt, Abigail Maxwell, who set up the GoFundMe page, described the event as a "tragic accident" and a "living nightmare". She explained that the pond was temporarily in the garden due to a house move and renovation, and that it had a temporary fence around it.
"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 emphasised that Isobel was a happy and deeply loved child, describing her parents as "the best" who had given her a wonderful life.
