Pond death 'a tragic accident'

Jack was discovered in the pond by his grandfather

A toddler who was found lying face down in a garden pond died as a result of an accident, a coroner has ruled.

Two-year-old Jack Welch was discovered in his grandparents' pond in Hampton Magna, Warwickshire, on 23 June.

The boy had been playing when he got through a security gate into the garden where the pond was.

His mother, Heather Welch, 30, held him the following day as his life support machine was switched off, the inquest at Leamington Spa Town Hall was told.

'Mischevious boy'

A post-mortem examination concluded that the toddler died as a result of drowning.

He was discovered in the pond by his grandfather, who called for an ambulance and tried to resuscitate him.

The boy was taken to Warwick Hospital before being transferred to the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The inquest was told doctors did all they could to save Jack, but scans showed there was a problem with his brain.

The death was described by police as a "tragic accident" and was not treated as suspicious.

Coroner Sean McGovern said: "I offer my condolences to his family, particularly to his parents, Mr and Mrs Welch."

In a statement released by police shortly after Jack's death, Mrs Welch and her husband David, 46, said: "Jack was a fun loving mischievous, happy-go-lucky little boy, who put a smile on everybody's face."