Iris-Mae Aubrey’s horrified mum came upstairs to check on the three-year-old who was in the bath to find the tub completely filled with the girl inside. She was pronounced dead less than an hour later
A three-year-old girl tragically drowned in a bath at her home after she managed to turn on the taps, an inquest has heard.
Iris-Mae Aubrey was discovered unresponsive by her parents at their residence in Abertillery, Wales, on 26 September 2023. The inquest at Gwent Coroner’s Court on 15 May 2024 revealed that Iris-Mae had fallen ill at school on the day of the incident and was picked up early by her grandmother. She was then taken to her Montague Street home where her grandmother and mother, Chelsea, stayed with her until her father, Ryan, returned from work later that afternoon.
After being given Calpol, Iris-Mae rested on the sofa before vomiting on her pyjamas later that evening. Her father prepared a bath for her upstairs, which her mother checked for temperature and ensured it was half-filled to Iris-Mae’s waist.
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At around 8.25pm, Chelsea left Iris-Mae to fetch a towel and tidy up downstairs. The inquest heard that Chelsea would listen out for Iris-Mae as she often called when ready to get out of the bath. Approximately 25 minutes later, at about 8.50pm, Chelsea returned upstairs to find the bath completely filled with Iris-Mae inside, reports Wales Online.
Chelsea immediately pulled her out, started CPR and dialled emergency services. Paramedics from the Wales Ambulance Service arrived around 9pm and continued attempts to revive Iris-Mae.
Despite their efforts, Iris-Mae was pronounced dead at 9.41pm. Senior coroner Caroline Saunders described the incident as a “terrible event which will never leave” the family, stating that little Iris-Mae had managed to turn on the bath taps while unattended. Ms Saunders concluded that the child’s death was an accidental drowning after being left alone.
This comes after a man died after falling from a mountain in Wales. The man was walking on Tryfan in Eryri or Snowdonia National Park with his two brothers when he slipped and fell from the Y-Gully section of the 3,000ft mountain on Bank Holiday Monday, North Wales Live reports.
His brothers called 999, Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Service reported, before mountain rescue volunteers and the coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene. A spokesman said: “A group of three brothers had ascended the North Ridge of Tryfan.
“On the descent they strayed too far to the west and ended up in the Y-Gully area. The oldest brother slipped and tumbled down the gully some distance, sustaining significant injuries.
“His two brothers were unable to descend so called 999 and asked for assistance. Several hill parties were dispatched and [the coastguard helicopter] was tasked to help with the search.
“The walkers were located and were able to help direct team members to the location of the casualty, however, it was evident that he had not survived his injuries. The casualty was evacuated by stretcher and the two brothers were roped to safe ground and then walked down to the road where they were met by [the Welsh Ambulance Service]. The thoughts of the team are with the family at this difficult time.”