Two-year-old boy drowned after falling into swimming pool
A curious toddler drowned when he fell into a swimming pool at his grandparent's home after he wandered off, an inquest heard.
Ajay Ramesh Shourie was found by his grandmother Asha Sharma after a frantic search of the house in Worcester Lane, Oldswinford, Stourbridge, on March 31.
His father told the inquest he believed the two-year-old had managed to open the doors to the pool.
His distressed relatives ran outside to flag down passersby to help the youngster, Smethwick Coroners Court was told yesterday .
A man stopped his car and after hearing what had happened rushed into the house immediately starting CPR while an ambulance was called.
Off-duty police officer Jill Ansell was also passing at the time and turned her vehicle around to assist. She and the man had continued the resuscitation until a first responder arrived.
Paramedics continued trying to revive the youngster en route to Russells Hall Hospital, in Dudley but was confirmed dead on arrival.
The inquest was told Ajay's mother Puja, of St Andrew's Drive, Leicester, had been visiting her mum in Oldswinford at the time.
Mrs Shourie said she had felt unwell and was lying on the living room sofa and her mother had been on the phone.
"Ajay had wandered off. I got up and asked my mother where he was," she said.
"We were looking in all the rooms and then I heard my mother scream."
"He was my first child and had always been healthy, happy and cheerful."
The inquest was told the sliding doors to the pool had been closed but it was believed the youngster had been able to open them slightly.
Ajay's father Niraj said: "He was always very curious and if he saw a button or lever had to press it or pull it.
"I believe he pressed the catch which allowed the doors to open."
Pathologist Dr Philip Cox said a post mortem had shown little sign of water in the youngster's lungs which was not uncommon despite the circumstances.
He said what had most likely happened was Ajay's breathing reflex had gone into spasm - causing what is known as dry drowning.
"This would have been because of the shock of hitting the water," he said.
"Death would have been instantaneous."
Dc Ansell told the inquest she had been 'impressed' by the actions of the young man who had stopped his car to help.
Senior Black Country coroner Mr Robin Balmain recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
Mr Balmain said: "What has happened is indescribably painful for the family and it is difficult to imagine what they are going through."
