Five-month-old child dies after ‘neglect incident’ at Legoland Windsor Resort

A five-month-old boy who suffered cardiac arrest after an incident at Legoland last week has died in hospital, police said.

Detectives arrested a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of child neglect following a death at Windsor Amusement Park. It emerged that a retired paramedic initially managed to revive the child after hearing cries for help.

The child was taken to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berks, following the incident on Thursday. The little boy died on Monday.

Matthew Burns, 60, was visiting Legoland with his family and was standing near the Coast Guard headquarters pedal boat ride when a woman ran over and asked for help.

Mr Burns told Mail Online he ran over and found the baby “blue in the face and limp” – and helped another off-duty paramedic revive the little boy.

He said they gave the child CPR for 20 minutes until he started breathing again before paramedics took him to hospital for emergency treatment.

Mr Burns, who has worked for the emergency services for 40 years, was at the attraction with his daughter and her family when it happened. He said the boy was sitting in a baby carrier when he rushed to help him.

He added: “Just before the ambulance and police turned up we took the boy’s pulse and he started making slight efforts to breathe.”

“When we first got to him I held his little arm up but it fell flat, but later when we checked for a pulse his arm stayed up so we at least got some sound.”

He added: “There were about six police officers who turned up, cordoned off the area and took statements. My focus was on the baby. Meanwhile, the mother was looked after by other visitors. She was obviously distraught and a little shocked.”

Stacey Irwin, Mr Burns’ daughter, described on social media how her father tried to save the boy. She wrote: “You spent a lot of time doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation – at least 20 or more minutes.

“Incredible work”

“Matt and the other man did an incredible job and managed to get the baby breathing again when the ambulance arrived.”

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police appealed to the public not to speculate about the child neglect investigation. They said: “A five-month-old baby who was seriously injured in a neglect incident at Legoland Windsor Resort sadly died in hospital on Monday.

“A 27-year-old woman from Witham, Essex, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of neglect of a child with intent to cause unnecessary injury. She was released on police bail until July 26.”

Investigating officer Det Con Zoe Eele, from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said police were investigating a “disturbing incident involving a very young child”.

She added: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the family of the boy who sadly died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. We are supporting them as best we can during this extremely difficult time.

“We are working closely with the team at Legoland Windsor Resort but would be happy to speak to anyone who may have information about this incident, particularly anyone in the queue for the boat ride to the HQ on Thursday between approximately 11.30am and 12.45pm Coast guard stood.

“We have made an arrest in connection with this incident and are not looking for any additional suspects.

“I would ask the public to avoid speculation about the incident and to respect the boy’s family at this deeply troubling time.”