Open conclusion in swallowed coin toddler death

A 14-month-old boy who died in hospital was found to have swallowed a 10p coin - but an inquest was unable to conclude whether that was what killed him.

The inquest in Truro recorded an open conclusion into Hayden Matthews' death, and ruled out neglect.

His father, David Matthews, 42, had taken another child to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, in Truro, with an unrelated injury when Hayden became cold and blue. He died about 30 minutes later after resuscitation attempts, the inquest heard.

Andrew Cox, senior coroner, said the coin had not caused any perforations which could have led to infection or sepsis.

Mr Matthews said Hayden had been "smiling and giggling" on the one-hour journey to the hospital and he thought his son had fallen asleep.

The coin was spotted during X-rays and a post-mortem examination in Hayden's oesophagus, the canal from the throat to the stomach.

The coroner could not determine how long it had been there.

The inquest heard the toddler had a cough in the weeks leading up to his death and was being treated with steroids and an inhaler, but was otherwise well.

There were no other marks or injuries, the inquest heard.

Mr Cox, who recorded an open conclusion, added it was an unusual case where Hayden was only taken to the hospital because another child had been injured in an unrelated incident.

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