A baby boy drowned in a rainwater trough in a back garden while in foster care, his family said.
Tragic Thomas Branchflower, aged seventeen months, was found ”unresponsive” and later died, loved ones say.
He was found in the garden of his foster home in Williton, Somerset and rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital’s intensive care unit where he passed away five days later.
An inquest has been opened into his death.
Speaking today, mum Tanya Branchflower said: “Thomas was in foster care.
”He was found unresponsive in an metal rainwater trough and was on life support.
”He was very much loved and adored by us his parents.”
Tanya said she and Thomas’ father went to Canada after the death.
Somerset coroner Tony Williams confirmed that Thomas was pronounced dead on August 1 and that an inquest had been opened on the same date.
He has recorded a preliminary cause of death as “hypoxic ischaemic brain injury secondary to drowning”.
He added: ”I can confirm that on July 27, 2020, Thomas had been found unresponsive in a water trough in Williton.
“Investigations are ongoing with regard to the circumstances of Thomas’s death and a full inquest hearing will be required in due course.”
Somerset County Council, which is responsible for children’s services, said it was unable to comment in detail until the inquest had concluded.
A spokesman said: “This is clearly a very tragic situation and we have offered our support to all those affected.”
