Son's fatal experiment (From Dudley News)

Son's fatal experiment

1:00pm Wednesday 30th January 2008

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A "HAPPY and cheerful" 10-year-old boy, who was found hanged at his Dudley home tragically died in a children's experiment, an inquest heard.

Michael Turner was found by his parents in his bedroom at their Laurel Road home on the afternoon of October 14, 2007.

He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital but died later that day, with his parents Sue and Steve by his side.

Dudley Coroners Court heard how Michael "had a great sense for life, and enjoyed lots of different things."

His dad Steve, told the hearing how Michael was excelling at Priory Primary School, where he was a pupil, and his "teachers expected him to do very well in his exams."

On the day of his death, the family, including Michael's nine-year-old sister Katy and grandmother Marion, had been out shopping after attending St Francis' Church, where they are members.

Steve, said: "Michael didn't like shopping and wanted to stay in the car with his Gameboy, he loved his computer games.

"When we got home he asked if he could go on the laptop, we said no and he said he was going upstairs to play on his playstation."

A while later, Sue called Michael for dinner, but there was no answer.

Steve, said: "Sue went upstairs and I heard her scream so I rushed upstairs.

"Michael was sort of kneeling underneath his bunk bed and his lips were blue.

"I grabbed him and took him downstairs to give him CPR while Sue rang for the ambulance, but I could tell from the way his lips were he seemed to have already gone.

"We know the police have taken a skipping rope from the room."

At the inquest on Friday, January 25, Black Country Coroner, Robin Balmain, recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "Michael's death was due to hanging.

"It is a total tragedy for the family, he was a young boy who was intelligent, caring and had everything to live for.

"I don't believe there was any evidence that he deliberately killed himself.

"It is likely it was a children's experiment that has gone terribly wrong."

Paying tribute to their son outside court, Sue and Steve, said: "In his short life Michael accomplished so many things; visited so many places and we feel lucky to have those memories to hang onto.

"The many regrets are that there were so many things that he was looking forward to and so many things we know he still wanted to do.

"We take solace that in his memory a large amount of cash was raised for Children in Need and many shoeboxes found their way to children last Christmas through Operation Christmas Child.

"Also through discussions we had, we understood his views on organ donation and that his right cornea has helped a three-year-old boy and his heart valves await a child in need."

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