Toddler drowned in rainwater trough in garden of his foster carer’s home
Disabled 17-month-old toddler who hadn’t learned to walk drowns in water trough in garden of his foster parents’ Somerset home
- Thomas Branchflower, aged seventeen months, found ‘unresponsive’ in trough
- His mother, Tanya, said: ‘He was very much loved and adored by us, his parents’
- Inquest is now underway, with preliminary cause of death given as drowning
A disabled 17-month-old toddler who had not learned to walk drowned in a rainwater trough in the garden of his foster family’s home.
Thomas Branchflower was found ‘unresponsive’ at the house in Williton, Somerset, and died five days later in hospital.
His mother, Tanya Branchflower, was on a trip to Canada at the time and heard the news in a phone call from a social worker.
Thomas Branchflower, aged seventeen months, was found ‘unresponsive’ in the garden of the home in Williton, Somerset and died five days later in hospital
Thomas with his mother, Tanya, who has confirmed that her son was in foster care
Speaking today, Mrs Branchflower said: ‘Thomas was in foster care. He was found unresponsive in a metal rainwater trough and was on life support.
‘He was very much loved and adored by us his parents.’
Thomas had a genetic disorder and was placed into foster care on direction of the local council.
Sheridan Farrow, Thomas’s grandmother, said Thomas had been ‘happy and healthy’ despite the condition, which delayed his physical development.
She claimed that at the time of his death he was unable to walk, Somerset Live reported.
Ms Farrow also said she was told there would be ‘no police involvement’ beyond the original investigation.
Somerset coroner Tony Williams confirmed that Thomas died 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’.
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, where Thomas died five days after he was pulled from the trough
Mr Williams 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.’
The inquest continues.
This is a general photo of Williton in Somerset, where the toddler drowned. This picture does not show the house where he died
