The heartbroken family of a two-year-old girl performed CPR for 25 minutes after she fell into a garden pond on Christmas Day, an inquest opening has heard.
Isobel Abigail Maxwell died following the tragic incident at her family home in Doncaster on 25 December. The brief hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court was told the ambulance service alerted South Yorkshire Police to the accident at around 4.45pm.
Desperate Attempts to Save a Life
Coroner's officer Scarlett Harrison outlined the sequence of events to senior coroner Nicola Mundy. She stated that information received by police indicated Isobel had unfortunately fallen into a pond at the property.
"The family commenced CPR straight away, called 999, CPR was ongoing for 25 minutes before Isobel was blue-lighted to Doncaster Royal Infirmary," Ms Harrison told the court.
Despite the prolonged and desperate efforts of her loved ones and emergency teams, the toddler's death was confirmed in hospital at approximately 5.55pm on Christmas Day.
Inquest Adjourned for Full Hearing
The hearing confirmed that Isobel's father had formally identified his daughter and that the family had chosen a funeral director, with a cremation planned. Senior coroner Nicola Mundy adjourned the inquest until 14 September this year, when a full investigation into the circumstances will take place.
In the wake of the tragedy, Isobel's mother, Tamara Wallace, expressed profound gratitude for the public's support. She thanked the hundreds of people who contributed to an online fundraiser aimed at creating a memorial fairy garden for her daughter.
A 'Magic Girl' Remembered
On social media, Ms Wallace paid tribute to her daughter's vibrant spirit. "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 wrote.
She emphasised the family's desire for Isobel to be remembered for the joy she brought. "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."
The GoFundMe appeal was organised by Isobel's aunt, Abigail Maxwell, who described the event as a "tragic accident" and a "living nightmare" that occurred during a family gathering.
She explained that Isobel had been playing indoors with her own daughter and disappeared for just "a moment", during which she went into the garden. Ms Maxwell noted the pond had a temporary fence around it and was on the property due to a recent house move and renovation project, not by choice.
"As you can imagine, this is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to parents, to lose their baby," she added. "She was so happy, so loved and they were the best parents who gave her the most wonderful life."
