Toddler dies after being pulled from canal in Wolverhampton

A two-year-old died after being found in the water in a critical condition, paramedics say

The Old Main Line canal runs through Wolverhampton (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A toddler has died after being pulled from a canal by police in Wolverhampton.

Officers performed CPR on the two-year-old boy after being called at about 5.30pm on Sunday to a stretch of the Old Main Line canal in Ettingshall.

Paramedics arrived to find the boy in a critical condition and, despite treatment, he died at the scene, the West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances and have referred his death to the coroner. We are supporting the family at this devastating time.

“We will have local officers in the area today to offer reassurance and support to our communities.”

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Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic attended the scene.

In a statement, the ambulance service said: “On arrival, crews found a boy, who had been pulled from the water by police colleagues, in a critical condition.

“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 incident came as temperatures in Wolverhampton reached 28C on Sunday evening.

According to the National Water Safety Forum, there were 236 water-related deaths in the UK last year, with fatalities typically coinciding with periods of warmer weather.

The RNLI and Met Office issued warnings last month urging people to beware of the dangers of open water, after a week in which at least two boys died, including eight-year-old Joshua Hillstead, who was pulled from the River Arrow, Warwickshire, and a 16-year-old who was found in Lodge Farm Reservoir in Dudley.

Sam Hughes, water safety manager at the RNLI, said: “If you do find yourself in difficulty, remember float to live: tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing.

“Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then, once you are through the initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.”