Faulty Cot Caused Child's Death Inquest Finds

A fatal accident inquiry has concluded that a faulty cot was to blame for the death of a six-month-old baby in Fife.

In July 2009 Ainslie Smith died when fell into a gap between his mattress and the side slats of his Cosatto Stratford cot.

A post-mortem examination revealed Ainslie had been unable to breathe because his airway was obstructed.

The inquiry heard the cot had a serious design defect, which meant its side could come loose, creating a gap that a child could fall in to.

Sheriff Charlie Macnair, who chaired the fatal accident inquiry into the baby's death, said that the fault should have been identified during the design process by "standard design and engineering techniques".

Nine months after Ainslie's death the manufacturer issued a safety device for the cot.

A statement made on behalf of the childs parents read: "Mr and Mrs Smith are more than satisfied with the sheriff's determination.

"They believe it has vindicated their efforts to fully investigate the circumstances leading to the sudden death of their baby boy.

"Whilst they have always known this tragedy could have been avoided, the fatal accident inquiry has undoubtedly established clear defects in the design and construction of the Cosatto cot.

"They only hope that the sheriff's findings now go some way to ensure that the circumstances surrounding their heartbreaking ordeal do not befall another family."

(H/CD)