One-year-old boy is found ‘drowned in hot tub’ in garden of £500,000 home in West Sussex as police launch investigation
- Police and paramedics rushed to house in Findon Valley, Worthing, West Sussex
- One-year-old baby was given emergency treatment but died in hospital
- Post-mortem is due to be carried out and inquest will be held at later date
A one-year-old baby boy is feared to have drowned in a hot tub in the garden of a £500,000 seaside home today.
Police and paramedics rushed to the house in Findon Valley, Worthing, West Sussex, and a full-scale investigation has been launched.
The baby was given emergency treatment by paramedics and the crew of an air ambulance, but died later in hospital.
Neighbours in Central Avenue, Worthing told how they saw the air ambulance helicopter land at around 1pm.
Police and paramedics rushed to the house in Findon Valley, Worthing, West Sussex around 1pm today and a full-scale investigation has been launched
One man said: ‘There were a lot of emergency services at the scene – ambulances, the helicopter, police cars, the lot.
‘From what I have been told it sounds like a terrible tragedy has happened.
‘I was told by another neighbour that a little boy had been found dead in a hot tub in the garden. Whether the lid was on it or how he got into there, I don’t know.
‘You have got to feel desperately sorry for his family.’
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘We were called to a property in Central Avenue, Worthing, at 12.57pm following concerns for the welfare of a one-year-old boy. The boy was taken to hospital by ambulance staff where he sadly died.
‘Full circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated and the matter has been passed to the Coroner’s Officer.
‘Next of kin have been informed and support is being provided to the family.’
Sussex Police added that no further update will be given today.
The baby was given emergency treatment by paramedics and the crew of an air ambulance, but died later in Worthing Hospital (pictured, February 12, 2020)
Neighbours in Central Avenue saw the air ambulance helicopter land this afternoon
A spokesman for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said: ‘I can confirm we attended a medical incident at a private address in Findon Valley.
‘A call came in at just after 12.30pm today.
‘We have withdrawn from the scene completely now, the air ambulance would have landed in the nearest open space nearby to assist us at that call.
Due to patient confidentiality we wouldn’t comment on the details.’
The baby boy’s body was taken to Worthing Hospital where a post-mortem is due to be carried out. He is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.
An inquest will be opened and adjourned at a later date.