A two-year-old girl tragically lost her life after falling into a garden pond at her family home in Doncaster on Christmas Day, a coroner's court has heard.
Family's Desperate Attempts to Save Isobel
Isobel Abigail Maxwell was discovered in the pond during a family gathering on the afternoon of December 25. Her family immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and dialled 999 for an ambulance.
The hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court was told that CPR was performed continuously for approximately 25 minutes at the scene before the little girl was rushed by blue-light ambulance to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
Despite the frantic efforts of her loved ones and emergency services, Isobel's death was confirmed in hospital at around 5.55pm on that fateful day.
Inquest Opened and Adjourned
Senior coroner Nicola Mundy opened and adjourned the inquest into Isobel's death on Monday. Coroner's officer Scarlett Harrison informed the brief hearing that South Yorkshire Police were notified of the incident by the ambulance service at about 4.45pm on Christmas Day.
Ms Harrison stated: "Information was passed to police indicating Isobel had unfortunately fallen into a pond at the family home. The family commenced CPR straight away and called 999. Resuscitation efforts continued for 25 minutes before Isobel was taken to hospital."
The court heard that Isobel's father has formally identified his daughter and that the family has made funeral arrangements, including a planned cremation. The full inquest has been scheduled for September 14.
A 'Magic Girl' Remembered with Love
In the wake of the tragedy, Isobel's mother, Tamara Wallace, expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of public support. Hundreds of people have contributed to an online fundraiser aimed at creating a memorial fairy garden in Isobel's honour.
Posting on Facebook, Ms Wallace remembered her daughter's vibrant spirit, saying: "Everyone who knows Isobel and us knows how gifted she was, and that she lived more in her two years than some children did in a lifetime."
She added: "We also want people to remember Isobel for the magic girl she was, and the adventure and fire she had in her soul, and how much light she brought, not for her sad passing."
Isobel's aunt, Abigail Maxwell, who organised the GoFundMe appeal, described the event as a "tragic accident" and a "living nightmare". She explained that the pond had a temporary fence and was on the property due to a recent house move, as the family was renovating their "forever home".
Ms Maxwell recounted how Isobel had been playing indoors before disappearing for a moment. "In that moment," she said, "she's gone in the garden and fell in the pond." She paid tribute to Isobel's parents, stating they were "the best parents who gave her the most wonderful life."
