Boy, 3, dies after TV falls on him

A three-year-old Invercargill boy died on Saturday, apparently after a set of drawers and television fell on him, police say.

Detective Sergeant Grant Johnstone said the drawers and television appeared to have fallen on the boy after he climbed on to a coffee table that had been supporting them.

The boy was taken to Southland Hospital and died some time later, he said.

A similar incident happened in Invercargill in April when a 16-month-old toddler was admitted to Southland Hospital after climbing a chest of drawers with a television on top.

The television fell off the drawers and fell on the boy, who was then transported to Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland for treatment.

Mr Johnstone said parents should make sure heavy items around the home were secured safely.

‘‘While we await the coroner’s findings as to the exact circumstances surrounding this latest tragedy, it is timely to remind parents of young children, who are at the climbing stage, to ensure heavy items around the home are secured safely.’’

- © Fairfax NZ News

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