Legoland: Five-month-old baby dies after suffering cardiac arrest in 'neglect incident'

Police have said they want to speak to anyone who was queueing for the park's Coastguard HQ ride on May 2

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James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 07/05/2024

- 16:18

Updated: 07/05/2024

- 16:52

The boy was taken to hospital after the cardiac arrest at the theme park on Thursday, and died on Sunday

A five-month-old baby who suffered a cardiac arrest in a "neglect incident" at Legoland Windsor last week has died in hospital, police have said.

The boy was taken to hospital after the cardiac arrest at the theme park on Thursday, and died on Sunday.


A 27-year-old woman from Witham, Essex, was arrested on suspicion of neglecting a child to cause unnecessary injury and has been released on bail until July 26.

The boy is understood to have become unwell at the theme park before his death in hospital.

Coastguard HQ ride

The Coastguard HQ ride, seen here being tested by staff after lockdowns finished in 2021

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Police have said they want to speak to anyone who was queueing for the park's Coastguard HQ boat ride between 11.30am and 12:45am on Thursday, May 2.

Thames Valley Police's Detective Constable Zoe Eele from the department's child abuse investigation unit said: "Firstly, our thoughts are with the family of the boy who sadly died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.

"We are supporting them as best we can at this extremely difficult time.

"We have made an arrest in relation to this incident and are not looking for anyone else as a suspect.

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"I would ask for the public to please avoid speculation about the incident and to respect the boy's family at this deeply upsetting time."

Thames Valley Police urged members of the public to get in touch by calling 101 or via their website, quoting reference number INC-20240502-0977.

The park's Coastguard HQ ride, open to adults and children, involves slow-moving yellow boats "gliding around" a river course past large Lego figures and bricks.

A Legoland staff member had told the Mail that guests and employees had been told to leave the area after the upsetting scenes unfolded.

They said ambulances had arrived at the ride, while the surrounding area was cordoned off and nearby rides were temporarily shut.

The staff member continued: "I didn't see what happened, but I was told that there had been some kind of an incident in or around the queue to the Coastguard ride.

"The baby boy had been in a pram at the time and there was a woman with him - I don't know if she's the same person who was later arrested.

"From where I was working, I couldn't see any police so I don't know if they actually spoke to her in the park."

A Legoland spokesperson had said last week: "We are extremely grateful to medically trained members of the public who provided immediate care, alongside our resort first aid team, until the emergency services arrived.

"The guest left the resort in the ambulance for further treatment... We'd like to thank the emergency services for their swift response, and our guests for their cooperation.

"We will continue to support Thames Valley Police with their ongoing investigation."

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