By James HoreTHE family of a toddler who fell into a paddling pool were at his side in hospital last night as he fought for his life. The two-year-old boy went missing at his home, but was found in the pool that had been left with a protective cover on.

By James Hore

THE family of a toddler who fell into a paddling pool were at his side in hospital last night as he fought for his life.

The two-year-old boy went missing at his home, but was found in the pool that had been left with a protective cover on.

It is feared the youngster could have been in the water for as long as 10 minutes before he was dragged out.

When ambulance crews arrived at the house in Bicknacre, near Chelmsford, at about 4.40pm on Sunday efforts were already being made to revive the toddler.

Paramedics took over the resuscitation attempts and the boy was flown to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford by air ambulance.

By the time the helicopter landed the crew managed to find a regular pulse, although the boy, who has not been named, still needed help breathing.

He was then transferred to St Mary's Hospital in London, where he began to show some signs of improvement.

A hospital spokesman said last night that the boy remained in a critical, but stable condition in its intensive care unit.

Richard Mackie, an air crew paramedic, said it had been vital to get the toddler onto the helicopter as soon as possible.

“Given the condition of the youngster we moved very quickly to get him on board the helicopter. From the time we landed to the time we arrived at Broomfield Hospital was only nine minutes.

“By the time we reached Broomfield, we had a regular pulse for the boy, but he still needed help breathing. “Our colleagues on the land vehicles took the relatives of the youngster up to hospital to be with him.”

He paid tribute to the air ambulance pilot, who managed to guide the helicopter into a “tight spot” at a time when seconds were vital.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk