A mother from Wigan, Greater Manchester, is mourning the tragic loss of her two-year-old son, Carter Walsh, who died after suffering severe injuries from the collapse of a marble fireplace at their home. The heartbreaking incident occurred on September 18, just moments after Carter enjoyed what his family described as the "best day ever" with relatives. During this day, he met his grandmother's horse and played with his cousin.
Samantha Walsh, 38, had left the house for merely twenty minutes when the tragedy struck. She first learned of her son's situation through her niece, who calmly informed her, "You need to come home, Carter has banged his head." Initially, Samantha believed the incident was minor, but as she rushed back, it became apparent from her niece's panic on the phone, paired with her mother’s alarm, the situation was much more serious. "Every time I rang her, I could tell it was serious. She started to panic because she knew I was on my way back," Samantha recalled.
When Samantha arrived at her home, emergency services were already on the scene trying to revive her son. Despite their best efforts, Carter was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Describing the painful ordeal, Samantha expressed, "He was my best friend. He was well-loved, not just by his family but by anybody who met him. He broke the hearts of everybody he met... He was the apple of our eyes."
Carter's tragic death occurred after part of the marble fireplace, which had reportedly shown signs of instability, collapsed, crushing him. Carter's aunt, Natalie Prescott, who was present at the home, explained through tears, "The fireplace, it just collapsed in the middle. It was giving, and it’s just collapsed and it’s just come forward."
At the time of the accident, the property’s landlord was also at the house, fixing its boiler, and he was the one who immediately dialed 999 for help.
After the accident, Samantha reflected on her son’s short yet impactful life filled with love. "I had to fight for him back out of the custody of the state," she remembered, making clear her deep connection to Carter. "I did get him back, and I’ve spent every day with him since. He was my best mate."
According to the Greater Manchester Police, officers were called to the home around 2:15 p.m. after reports of concern for the welfare of a child. The spokesperson mentioned, "Sadly, due to the best efforts of paramedics, the two-year-old boy later died at the hospital. Enquiries are still underway, and officers are supporting the family during this hard time."
When Samantha entered the ward, she can vividly recall Carter's peaceful appearance—"He just looked so peaceful. There was no bruising or anything to his face. The cut was covered over. There were no visible injuries. He had been healthy prior to the accident."
The emotional aftermath of this painful event has left Samantha searching for ways to cope with her unthinkable loss. "I’ve been back to the house. I couldn’t stay there. I went to stay with my sisters. I went back yesterday to clean up... there was blood," she recalled, highlighting the trauma of the scene she was forced to face.
The North West Ambulance Service echoed similar sentiments, stating they attended the incident at the family’s private address shortly after the emergency call was placed. They dispatched several vehicles, including the air ambulance, but sadly, the little boy was transported to the hospital by road.
Now, as the community rallies around the grieving family, many are left reflecting on the fragility of life. The loss of such a cherished young child has alerted neighbors and families alike to the inherent dangers of household furniture and fixtures. This incident serves as sobering reminder of the potential hazards present even within our own homes, irrespective of how safe we believe they are.
