Baby boy died after lollipop choking accident
A 19-month-old boy died after a lollipop became stuck at the back of his throat and left him unable to breathe, an inquest was told.
Tyler Stanton's horrified relatives tried desperately to dislodge the sweet but were unable to remove it, Smethwick Coroners Court heard. And when they tried to do so, the stick on the end of the lollipop came off, leaving the sweet in his throat. Paramedics were called to Tyler's home in Springfields, Walsall, and he was taken to the town's Manor Hospital. He died there on April 26 last year.
Tyler's mother Zoe Jones, who described him as a lively little boy, said members of the family had been visiting at the time.
She said her son had first run into the bathroom to find his father Greg before running back out again and throwing himself on the sofa.
Miss Jones, who now lives in Millfield Avenue, Walsall, said: "That's when it happened. After running back he launched himself on to the settee.
"The next thing I knew someone shouted Tyler was choking. We tried to get the lollipop out but the stick came off and the lollipop went down his throat.
"We called for the ambulance. He could not breathe because the lollipop was too big."
Miss Jones said members of the family had attempted CPR to try to remove the blockage and to help the youngster to breathe. This had continued until paramedics arrived and the youngster was taken to the hospital.
Treatment continued in the ambulance on the way, the inquest was told, but paramedics had been unable to save the little boy's life. A post mortem carried out on May 2 showed Tyler had otherwise been fit and healthy.
The remains of the lollipop were found still lodged in the back of his throat. His lungs had collapsed.
Senior coroner for the Black Country Mr Robin Balmain said the medical cause of death had been given as airway obstruction due to a foreign body. He told Miss Jones the death of her son was a 'tragedy'.
"This little boy has had an accident and that is what shall be reflected in my conclusion," he said. "I am really sorry this has happened to you."
Miss Jones told the inquest yesterday: "He was always a very lively boy."
