16-month-old baby dies in 'freak accident' after becoming trapped in blinds at grandparents' house

'You hear about stuff happening like that but you think in the house you're safe'

Bronwyn was pronounced dead at Riyal Stoke University Hospital on Saturday

A 16-month-old baby has died in a "freak accident" after becoming strangled by a window blind cord.

Bronwyn Taylor was playing at her grandparents’ house in Stoke-on-Trent when she became tangled in the metal cords and stopped breathing.

She was rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital, but was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon.

It is understood the incident happened in matter of seconds when Bronwyn and her older brother, Boden, who has cerebral palsy, were at their grandparents' home while their parents went to the theatre with their other two sons.

Staffordshire Police are preparing a report into the death and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Bronwyn’s parents, Matthew and Cathy Taylor, are urging other parents to be vigilant against dangers in the home.

Mr Taylor, 40, said: "You hear about stuff happening like that but you think in the house you're safe.

"The leads were up out of the way, we don't know how they came down.

"Mum was just doing bits and bobs and Bronwyn was wandering up and down the bungalow - it takes a split second.

"We are trying to get the message out there - it happened to be blinds but it could have been anything.

“Bronwyn... has missed out on the rest of her life because of a five-second accident. It just keeps hitting us again and again that she's never coming back."

Bronwyn’s 79-year-old grandfather collapsed with shock after the incident and remains in hospital.

"My mum and dad have been blaming themselves, but we don't blame them. It was a freak accident. We are all devastated," Mr Taylor told the Stoke Sentinel.

Mrs Taylor, 42, described Bronwyn as "absolutely fabulous" and “just a star."

"She was funny and kind and adored by so many people.”

Family and friends are raising money for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice Trust in her honour.

Additional reporting by Press Association