The family of a two-year-old girl who died after falling into a pond on Christmas Day tried to save her with CPR for 25 minutes before an ambulance arrived, an inquest has heard.
Isobel Abigail Maxwell died in the garden of her family home in Doncaster after disappearing from view having been playing happily with toys.
The toddler was discovered in the pond by family members and she was rushed to hospital where her death was confirmed.
Her family desperately tried to save her by performing CPR for 25 minutes before parademics arrived, an inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court was told.
The incident was reported to South Yorkshire Police at around 4.45pm on Christmas Day by the ambulance service.
The family had asked for police assistance due to the two-year-old girl being in cardiac arrest.
Coroner’s officer Scarlett Harrison said: ‘There was information passed to the police to say that Isobel had unfortunately fallen into a pond at the family home.
‘The family commenced CPR straight away, called 999, CPR was ongoing for 25 minutes before Isobel was blue-lighted to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.’
Isobel Abigail Maxwell, two, died in the garden of the family home in Doncaster after disappearing from view having been playing happily with toys
‘The toddler’s death was confirmed in hospital at about 5.55pm that day, the hearing was told.
Isobel’s father has confirmed her identity and the family have chosen a funeral director for a planned cremation.
Coroner Nicola Mundy adjourned the case until September 14, when a full inquest will be held.
Following her death, Isobel’s mother Tamara Wallace thanked hundreds of people who contributed to an online fundraiser to create a memorial fairy garden.
Ms Wallace said on Facebook: ‘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.
‘The generosity has been outstanding, we are very much keeping each other close and being suffocated with love, which is absolutely what we need.
‘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.’
A GoFundMe appeal set up by Isobel’s aunt Abigail Maxwell said the ‘tragic accident’ and ‘living nightmare’ happened at a family gathering on Christmas Day.
Ms Maxwell explained how Isobel had been playing with her daughter in the house and disappeared for ‘a moment’, falling in the pond, which had a temporary fence around it.
Tamara Wallace and partner Aaron pictured with their daughter Isobel
She said: ‘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 the pond ‘was not there through choice but due to a house move, their forever home which they were renovating’.
She said: ‘As you can imagine, this is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to parents, to lose their baby.
‘She was so happy, so loved and they were the best parents who gave her the most wonderful life.’
