A coroner has ruled that the 2-month-old boy was not properly secured in his baby capsule, causing him to slip out and sustain the fatal injury as his father went to place him in the family vehicle.
Harsimar’s death was referred to Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon whose findings have now been released to the Herald.
The family spent several hours at the SkyCity complex in Auckland's CBD before tragedy struck. Photo / Michael Craig
On the day of the tragedy, Harsimar’s parents - who were not named in the coroner’s report - took him to SkyCity in central Auckland, parking in the onsite car park and spending two hours at the complex.
When they returned to the car the tragic incident unfolded.
“Almost immediately after the bottle fell Harsimar has slipped out of the capsule and fallen to the ground,” said Coroner Fitzgibbon.
“The back of his head has struck the broken bottle and caused a cut to his head. Harsimar was transported to hospital but died from his injuries.
“Harsimar was not strapped into the capsule ... Police are of the opinion Harsimar died as a direct result of a fall caused by incorrect carrying of the capsule combined with not being adequately secured in place.”
Police confirmed there were “no untoward or suspicious circumstances” regarding Harsimar’s death and no one was or would be charged.
Coroner Fitzgibbon then opened an inquest in a bid to ascertain exactly how the baby died, if that death was preventable and if there were any recommendations she could make public to stop similar tragedies in future.
She said Harsimar’s father knew how to secure his baby into the capsule properly and how it locked in and out of the pram and car.
Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon. Photo / NZLS
On the day, when he detached the capsule from the pram, he did not know the harness was not secured to stop Harsimar from falling out due to his being covered by a blanket.
“Harsimar’s mother confirmed that while they were at SkyCity she was feeding Harsimar multiple times and therefore took him out of the capsule many times,” said the coroner.
“Before they went to the carpark, she was the last person to put Harsimar inside the capsule and says his safety harness was not secured as it was irritating Harsimar and he was sleeping.”
The capsule was inspected by a certified NZQA/NZTA-approved child restraint trainer.
He confirmed that the capsule was functioning as designed and there were no faults - and that Harsimar was “not correctly harnessed into the restraint”.
Further, a handle on the capsule was not in the correct position when removed from the pram meaning “the balance and security of the child and the capsule was significantly compromised”.
“Had the handle been in the correct position and the child correctly harnessed in, even if the capsule fell it is unlikely the child would have sustained significant injuries,” the expert said.
A capsule similar to the one baby Harsimar was carried in. Photo / Ministry of Justice
After looking at all the information Coroner Fitzgibbon ruled Harsimar’s death was “a tragic accident” but could have been prevented.
“Not only was the handle not in the recommended position but the harness was not in place securing Harsimar into the capsule,” she said.
“Had he been correctly harnessed in the capsule it would have functioned as designed and he would not have fallen out.”
The coroner made comments aimed at preventing similar deaths in future.
“It is important for those using a capsule to familiarise themselves with the manufacturer’s manual and ensure the capsule is always set up in the correct manner, while in a motor vehicle and when the capsule is being used outside a motor vehicle,” she said.
“As well as the manufacturer’s instructions, there is a range of information available online about the correct type and use of infant capsules and car seats. I encourage families to read this information or contact a child restraint technician.”
The coroner’s findings were provided to NZTA, Safekids Aotearoa and Plunket “for consideration whether their specific education around infant capsules can be extended to include ‘out of vehicle’ safety when using infant capsules”.
*At the time of the incident reports incorrectly stated a baby girl had died.
Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz
