A CORONER has said the full inquest into the death of a three-year-old girl will have to wait until a lengthy investigation by police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is complete.

The inquest in York was told Lydia Bishop died after being found with a rope around her neck at the top of a slide at York College Day Nursery at about 2pm on September 17.

York coroner Donald Coverdale opened the inquest on Monday and said nursery staff tried in vain to save the girl – who was on her first day at nursery – by attempting to resuscitate her before ambulance crews arrived.

Although paramedics took over, it was announced at 3.27pm that she had died in York Hospital.

Mr Coverdale said: “A nursery worker spotted Lydia unresponsive on the slide and a rope attached to play equipment was around her neck.

“I understand staff immediately gave what help they could, administering CPR until paramedics arrived.”

Consultant pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper said the provisional cause of death was pressure to the neck.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed that investigations into Lydia’s death were ongoing.

Mr Coverdale added: “My thoughts are, of course, with Lydia’s parents following their tragic loss.”

A spokesman for the HSE said: “We are at the very early stages of an investigation and it could be a lengthy process.

“North Yorkshire Police are taking the lead, but HSE is working with them and will remain involved until the inquest has concluded.”

The nursery will remain closed until early next month while investigations continue.