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Toddler shot in head with airgun Toddler shot in head with airgun
(about 4 hours later)
An 18-month-old boy is critically ill in hospital after being shot in the head with an airgun in what appears to be a "tragic accident", police said. An 18-month-old boy is critically ill after apparently being shot with an airgun by his five-year-old sister.
He was playing with other young children in the garden of his home in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, on Sunday. West Midlands Police said the boy was shot in the head in a "tragic accident" while playing in the garden of his home in Washwood Heath, Birmingham.
It is thought some children aged under five managed to access the air weapon and accidentally caused it to go off, West Midlands Police said. The boy's grandfather said it was believed the girl picked up the air weapon when the children's father left it unattended to answer a phone call.
The boy was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital.The boy was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
He sustained a pellet wound to the back of the head.He sustained a pellet wound to the back of the head.
Police inquiries into the circumstances have continued but it has been stressed officers were not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.Police inquiries into the circumstances have continued but it has been stressed officers were not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.
"While we are still trying to establish precisely what happened, this does appear to be a tragic accident involving young children," said DI Simon Vowles."While we are still trying to establish precisely what happened, this does appear to be a tragic accident involving young children," said DI Simon Vowles.
'Serious head injury''Serious head injury'
A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said when crews dropped him off he was in a stable but critical condition. A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said when crews dropped the boy off he was in a stable but critical condition.
An ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and a doctor were sent to the scene, she said.An ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and a doctor were sent to the scene, she said.
The spokeswoman added: "When crews arrived they found an 18-month-old boy who had suffered a very serious head injury.The spokeswoman added: "When crews arrived they found an 18-month-old boy who had suffered a very serious head injury.
"They were told that it had been caused by an airgun."They were told that it had been caused by an airgun.
"Crews immediately started treating the child and very quickly took him to Birmingham Children's Hospital travelling on blue lights."Crews immediately started treating the child and very quickly took him to Birmingham Children's Hospital travelling on blue lights.
"Two additional paramedics travelled with the ambulance crew to provide additional assistance on route to hospital.""Two additional paramedics travelled with the ambulance crew to provide additional assistance on route to hospital."
A spokesman for the hospital confirmed it was still treating the boy but was "not at liberty to confirm anything else".A spokesman for the hospital confirmed it was still treating the boy but was "not at liberty to confirm anything else".
The spokesman said: "I know this is a subject of police interest already and we will know more as time goes on."The spokesman said: "I know this is a subject of police interest already and we will know more as time goes on."