Faulty locks led to death (From Stourbridge News)

Faulty locks led to death

9:25am Friday 24th November 2006 in Local

AN inquest heard faulty window locks may have contributed to a tragic accident which killed a toddler.

Nicolas Boss Made was just two when he fell 40 feet from a window at his maisonette in Hillbank, Lye.

Nicolas died from severe head injuries at Russell's Hall hospital on Thursday July 6, leaving his devastated family blaming broken locks at their council-owned home.

Simba Made, Nicolas' uncle, said: "The locks on the windows were very, very faulty, the flat was not very secure.

"If it was not for the insecurity of the windows Nicolas would be alive today, I will never get over this, never in my lifetime."

The inquest, at Dudley Coroners court heard the tot climbed on to a bed and then a chest of drawers before making his way on to the window ledge.

DS David Fletcher, from Stourbridge police, said: "The windows were completely wide open, there was nothing to stop the windows being open, no indication of safety catches of any kind."

Nicolas' mother, Blanche Made, who moved to the UK from RDC of Congo in 2003, said: "The window he fell from was shut, the window was easy to open, he could have opened it himself."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Black Country Coroner, Robin Balmain, said: "It is not the function of this inquiry to apportion blame but it is not to say there is or is not any blame.

"He was seen by two boys throwing some hairbands out of the window.

"It then appears that he put one leg outside the window and sat on the frame, shortly afterwards he must have lost his balance and fallen.

"This has been a very sad and tragic enquiry and I would like to express my sympathy to the family."