Inquest opens into London lamp post tragedy baby

A baby died of head injuries after being struck by a falling lamp post in west London, an inquest heard today.

Tommy Hollis died one day before his first birthday when he was hit outside Chiswick Town Hall last week.

The force of the impact smashed his buggy, which was being pushed by a nanny, and also knocked out a 62-year-old grandmother standing next to him.

Tommy was taken to hospital, but died on Thursday morning. A joint investigation between the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Unit, Hounslow Police and the Health and Safety Executive is under way.

Detective Inspector Sheila Stewart, leading the investigation, told West London coroner's court that possible charges could be brought within six weeks.

Tommy's parents Chris Hollis and Kate Hollis, a senior legal counsel at GE Capital, from Chiswick, were not in court. The hearing was told the lamp post collapsed in the middle of a road-widening scheme instigated by Hounslow council.

The case was adjourned until 13 April.