Boy, two, who died after being found in canal is named as inquest confirms cause of death

Jayce Olutola was named at Black Country Coroners Court in Oldbury on Tuesday, by senior coroner Zafar Siddique.

The two-year-old was discovered in the Wolverhampton and Birmingham Canal at around 5.30pm on Sunday, August 11, after going missing from his home on Hendon Avenue in Ettingshall. Despite receiving advanced care from police officers and paramedics, died later that evening.

Mr Siddique said at the hearing that Jayce had been taken to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, with the cause of death given as drowning.

The senior coroner also provided details of the events of August 11, saying that the two-year-old had been at home with his mother and great-aunt, while his father had been at work.

He then described how Jayce's mother had left the house around 5pm to sort out a house the family were moving to, then his great-aunt had realised that Jayce was missing and, upon further inspection, found that the garage door was open.

Mr Siddique said that the great-aunt had gone looking for Jayce along the canal path and, after being unable to locate him, called the emergency services, who arrived at around 5.30pm and subsequently discovered Jayce in the canal.

After announcing that a full inquest would take place on October 15, Mr Siddique said he would request reports from the hospital and West Midlands Police.

He also offered his deepest heartfelt condolences to the family, who were not in attendance at the hearing.

Speaking the day after the tragic discovery, a pokesperson for West Midlands Police said: At around 5.30pm we received a 999 call and sent officers to the area. A child has sadly died after we were called to Hendon Avenue, Wolverhampton yesterday afternoon (11 August).

"At around 5.30pm we received a 999 call and sent officers to the area. A two-year-old boy was found in water near to the canal towpath. Officers entered the water and pulled the boy out of the water, before performing CPR until paramedics arrived."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "“He was receiving basic life support by officers and ambulance staff immediately took over to administer advanced life support.

“Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, the child could not be saved and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

The news of the death of a boy had been met by residents with a mixture of shock and sadness.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said she had returned from work to find police everywhere and had struggled to sleep after finding out what had happened.

She said: "I didn't know what had happened until later on and it did leave me shaken as a result because I couldn't sleep last night.

"My husband was here and told me that the paramedics were attempting to resuscitate the boy on the canal path, so it's all just very shocking."