The heartache of the family as a baby boy dies in a tragic accident during vacation in St. Lucia

An investigation started after a baby boy died in a tragic accident during a family vacation.

Seven months old Tommy Taylor-Mclean fell from a bed on the first day of a family trip to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, East London The court of the coroner has heard.

The toddler, from Upminster, Havering, was tragically pronounced on 2 April in a hospital on the island.

An investigation was opened in Walthamstow on Wednesday 9 April, after his body was repatriated in the UK.

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine said he would ask the foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to obtain important evidence that the authorities collected in St. Lucia.

He said to the court: “I will be very clear. Coroners in England and Wales have legal powers to demand proof of persons and organizations. Unfortunately, those powers stop at the limits of England and Wales.

“I have to rely on diplomatic channels to get evidence from foreign areas of law.”

The details that Mr Irvine had so far from the case came from repatriation papers supplied by funeral directors, he told the court last week.

Seven months old Tommy Taylor-Mclean fell from a bed on the first day of a family trip to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia

Initially Tommy was fine – but then his condition deteriorated and he needed hospitalization

The toddler was treated by the St Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort, where it was discovered that he had suffered a bleeding on the brain

He added: ‘It indicated that Tommy had been on vacation with his parents.

“They had arrived in St. Lucia on the first March and early in the journey, Tommy fell out of a bed and injured herself.”

Initially Tommy was fine – but then his condition deteriorated and he needed hospitalization.

He was treated by St. Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort, where it was discovered that he had suffered a bleeding on the brain.

Mr. Irvine told the opening of the investigation: ‘It seems that a post-mortem study was conducted in St. Lucia.

“The full extent of that investigation was not announced to the court.”

A pediatric post-mortem ordered by Mr. Irvine has not resulted in a preliminary cause of death. Further laboratory tests were ordered.

“It seems to me that this is a tragic series of circumstances and I want to offer my condolences to Tommy’s parents for their tragic loss,” Mr. Irvine said.

“We are completely lost without him, but comfort in knowing the number of lives he touched in the short time he was with us,” his parents said

An online fundraising page in memory of Baby Tommy has so far collected more than £ 13,000 for the St. Lucia Hospital that treated him

An online fundraising page in memory of Baby Tommy has so far collected more than £ 13,000 for the St. Lucia Hospital that has treated him.

It described him as ‘the best little boy’ who brought ‘so much joy and happiness to everyone who met him’.

“We are completely lost without him, but comfort it to know the number of life he has touched in the short time he was with us,” said a statement that was attributed to his parents Hannah and Matt.

The Online fundraising page Also praised the ‘great doctors’ who have treated him.

It says: ‘All the staff treated Tommy with so much care and compassion, but unfortunately there were not the means to operate on Tommy.

‘We would like to raise money for the pediatric department to help other children.

‘Unfortunately our baby boy Tommy lost his life, but we would like to try to save other children and babies in the future, in honor of our dear son. He will live in our hearts and mind forever. ‘

Mr. Irvine added: ‘It seems that the circumstances of the fall of Tommy did not result in any criminal investigation in St. Lucia. I should definitely make that clear.

‘Trettable delays that take place in offering pediatric post-mortem reports’ meant that he should plan Tommy’s last investigation by the end of the year, on November 24.

“That causes me real concern,” said the coroner. “It seems to me that the family will cause considerable upset and that I am very sorry.”