Tragic Death of Seven-Year-Old Autistic Girl in Golf Course Pond
An inquest has heard the heartbreaking details of how a seven-year-old autistic girl drowned after slipping through a fence while on an outing with her childminder. Nyla May Bradshaw, who was non-verbal and had been diagnosed with autism, was found unresponsive in a pond on Owston Golf Course, north of Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Coroner's officer Jane McDonnell told the hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court that Nyla was under the care of a childminder on March 30. During the day, she was taken to a park in the Owston area of Doncaster. "During the course of the excursion she passed through a gap in the fence and approached woodland close to Owston Golf Course," Ms McDonnell stated.
After the childminder raised the alarm with police and Nyla's family, an extensive search operation was launched. This involved drones and a helicopter from South Yorkshire Police. Tragically, Nyla was discovered face down and unresponsive in a pond on the golf course. She was rushed to Doncaster Royal Infirmary but could not be resuscitated.
Inquest Proceedings and Community Response
Senior coroner Nicola Mundy presided over the brief hearing, which lasted approximately five minutes. No cause of death was provided during this initial session. Ms Mundy set a provisional date for the full inquest on December 8 and requested that Nyla's family, who were not present, be kept informed of all developments.
The local children's autism charity, Little Rainbows Doncaster, paid tribute to Nyla, describing her as "a beautiful, deeply loved seven-year-old girl who brought so much light to those around her." The charity emphasized that Nyla, despite being non-verbal, "touched more lives than words could ever express" and particularly loved Christmas.
Systemic Concerns Raised by Charity
In a subsequent statement, Little Rainbows Doncaster highlighted broader issues, noting that Nyla's death "raises serious concerns about the adequacy, continuity and safety of care provision for disabled children outside of school settings." The charity pointed out that Nyla had complex needs and attended a specialist school where she required constant one-to-one supervision.
"For many of us as parents of autistic children, this is the fear we carry every single day - and today, that fear has become a reality for one of our own," the charity added, calling for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Community Support and Investigation
Following the tragedy, an online tribute page was established to support Nyla's family. By the time of the inquest opening, it had raised over £20,000 to assist with funeral expenses and other costs. The community's outpouring of grief and solidarity underscores the profound impact of this loss.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nyla's death continues, with the full inquest scheduled for later this year. Authorities are examining the events that led to her accessing the golf course pond, as the community mourns a young life cut tragically short.
