Tribute to tragic Tyler, 3

The mother of a little boy who died a week after falling into his aunt's pond has paid tribute to her son and described the horrifying moment he was found.

Stephanie Harris said she instantly knew something terrible had happened to three-year-old Tyler Wood, of Beechdale, Walsall, after she heard her sister screaming following a frantic search of the garden and surrounding streets after he vanished while playing.

Tyler was found by his aunt Nicola Mattocks lying face down in the corner of her pond which was fenced off at her Great Barr home.

Mother Stephanie told the inquest into her son's death:

"Tyler was really active. He was very well-behaved and learning to write his name and could also ride a bike with stabilisers."

The hearing was told Tyler died from heart failure the day after being transferred to Walsall from the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke on February 22 last year. He fell into the pond at his aunt's house in Tanhouse Avenue, on February 13.

Black Country coroner Robin Balmain yesterday recorded a verdict of accidental death. He said: "I'm sure it is easy for parents to blame themselves but there is no reason to suspect the pond was not secure."