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Inquest held into death of baby Georgie Tester from Northfleet

An inquest has heard how a baby died in a tragic accident, when her father collapsed on top of her and also died.

One-year-old Georgie Tester, of Lime Avenue, Northfleet, was pronounced dead at Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, on Thursday, June 11.

An inquest into her death was held today at Gravesend Old Town Hall by North Kent coroner Roger Hatch.

Gravesend Old Town Hall
Gravesend Old Town Hall

He concluded her death was an accident.

The inquest was told the young girl was conceived as a result of IVF treatment.

At the hearing, DI Gavin Moss told how the youngster died in tragic circumstances, when her father David suffered heart complications and suddenly collapsed onto her.

He also died.

Mr Tester, a self-employed electrician, was at the family home looking after Georgie and both were in the bathroom.

DI Moss said: "He was in the process of brushing Georgie's teeth in the bathroom when he collapsed, and his daughter could not move from beneath him."

His wife Emma Tester, a dental nurse, had been at work, the inquest heard. When she arrived home, she walked in and called out for her husband. When she did not hear anything, she went upstairs and found them in the bathroom.

She called a neighbour who came round and lifted Mr Tester off the child. The South East Coast Ambulance Service arrived shortly afterwards who attempted resuscitation.

Continuing to give evidence, DI Moss said both Mr Tester and Georgie were taken to Darent Valley Hospital.

He said Mr Tester, whose age was not given at the hearing, had previously visited a surgery in Lamorna Avenue, Gravesend, and was sent for blood tests at Darent Valley Hospital in 2014. Previous symptoms had included tiredness and a tingling sensation in his fingers.

He revealed that Mr Tester's relatives had also experienced heart problems in the past, with both his father and grandfather dying of heart-related issues.

"It is the opinion of the police that this was a most tragic accident" - DI Gavin Moss

He said: "It is the opinion of the police that this was a most tragic accident."

Pathologist Dr David Rouse carried out a post mortem on Georgie. There were no obvious injuries and he concluded she died of asphyxia, also known as suffocation.

He also carried out a post mortem on Mr Tester. He found evidence of scarring on the wall of his heart which indicated previous heart problems.

Clots on the main wall of his artery had caused him to collapse.

During the hearing, Mrs Tester asked Dr Rouse if there would have been any warning signs of her husband's condition.

He said: "He had an area of scarring on the wall of his heart. There was a scar tissue so it is impossible to tell but usually you can see that at three months. It could have been there months or it could have been there 19 years."

He also assured her that her daughter was likely to have died suddenly.

Coroner Roger Hatch said: "I propose to conclude the cause of death of Georgie Tester was an accident. I give my sympathy for a most dreadful loss to the family."


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