Child strangles on straps of toy

A WINNIE-THE-POOH cuddly toy used to promote Disney videos was withdrawn from public sale after a three-year-old girl accidentally strangled herself on its straps, an inquest heard yesterday.

The mother of Ellie Lowes discovered her daughter hanging from one loop of the toy, which is carried like a rucksack, while another was caught on a cupboard handle the coroner was told. The child had been watching a video in her sister’s bedroom and had probably tried to hang up the toy when she fell over on the bed and got her head caught in the strap.

Although the toy, distributed by the Buena Vista home entertainment’s company, complied with safety standards, child safety expert Dr Sara Levene told coroner Ian McCreath she did not consider it suitable for children. No members of Ellie’s family were present at the hearing yesterday at South East Northumberland Magistrates Court, but a statement from her mother, Melanie, was read out.

It said the girl was playing alone in her home in Blackdene, Ashington, Northumberland on January 26 this year. After 30 minutes Mrs Lowes went upstairs and found her hanging. She called her husband, Trevor, who attempted to resuscitate his daughter and the emergency services were called but to no avail. The coroner said no blame should be attached to the parents.

Representatives of the video company Buena Vista and its supplier PKA Distribution were present at the hearing to hear paediatrician Dr Levene say she did not believe the toy was “safe and suitable” for children because the straps were too narrow and backpacks should not be used as toys.