Dancing boy, 2, killed by falling marble fireplace and TV that wasn't fixed to wall, inquest told

A two year-old boy was killed when a marble fireplace and a television fell on top of him as he danced in the living room of his home, a court heard today (September 26). An inquest into the tragic death of toddler Carter Walsh was opened and adjourned.

A coroner's court heard the marble fireplace wasn't secured to the wall and the television, which wasn't described, was sitting unsecure on top of it. The television, too, wasn't attached to the wall.

Carter - described by his mother as 'the apple of our eyes' - was dancing to a programme on the television at the time at his home on Fisher Close in Worsley Mesnes, Wigan.

READ MORE: More details emerge over Piccadilly station Wi-Fi 'cyber attack' after site 'hacked with terror message'

Bolton Coroner's Court heard today that 'workmen' who were at the property lifted the fireplace and television off Carter as the emergency services were called. Sadly, he died in hospital later.

Police, paramedics and the air ambulance were alerted to the incident at around 2.15pm on Wednesday, September 18.

Police coroner's officer Julieann Hyde, giving evidence at the brief opening, said Carter was being looked after by a relative at the time while his mother, Samantha Walsh, was at work. She said the television was 'balanced' on top of the marble fireplace, which wasn't fixed to the wall in the living room.

"Suddenly, they fell over on top of him," said Ms Hyde.

She said workmen 'lifted' the fireplace and television from him. Carter was taken to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, but he was sadly pronounced dead at 3.29pm, the court heard. A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as head injuries.

None of Carter's family were present at the hearing, which was presided over by coroner Professor Dr Alan Walsh.

Prof Walsh formerly released Carter's body and ordered statements to be gathered from Greater Manchester Police and the hospital ahead of a full inquest hearing.

"I send my condolences to members of Carter's family and I will adjourn this inquest to be resumed at a later date," he said.

Speaking of the tragedy for the first time last week, Carter's mum Ms Walsh, 38, paid tribute to her 'best friend' and 'the apple of our eyes'. She said: "He was well-loved, not just by his family but by anybody that met him. He broke the hearts of everybody he met... He was the apple of our eyes."

His devastated aunt, meanwhile, Natalie Prescot, 35, said Carter had had the 'best day ever' with his family on the Wednesday before his tragic death. He had been for lunch at a carvery restaurant with her mum, sister and daughter, before they went to see some horses.

In a statement issued, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 2.15pm on Wednesday September 18, officers were called to reports regarding a concern for welfare of a child on Fisher Close, Wigan. Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, a two-year-old boy later died at hospital.

"Enquiries are ongoing and officers are supporting the family at this time."