7-year-old Emily Jones passed away after a woman stabbed her in the neck in front of her shocked father.
The youngster was riding her scooter on Mother’s Day when the woman suddenly stabbed her in the neck. This incident occurred at Queen’s Park in Bolton, Greater Manchester on March 22.
Emily was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Alan Walsh, acting senior coroner, described Emily’s death as ‘one of the most tragic’ he has dealt with in two decades as a corner.
Officer Rebecca Gardner said: “Emily was on her scooter playing. As she rode past a wooden bench, a female sat on the bench suddenly attacked Emily, stabbing her in the neck, causing catastrophic injury.
“Emily was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, but despite best efforts to save Emily her death was diagnosed at 15.56 hours that day.”
The court also heard that a post mortem found the 7-year-old passed away due to an incised wound of the neck.
A 30-year-old stranger was arrested and has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
“I have been truly touched by the photographs of Emily that have been sent to me,” Mr. Walsh said. “I send my heartfelt condolences to Emily’s family and friends, but particularly to her parents, who were present in the park and her father, who was nearby.
“In my 20 years as a coroner this is one of the most tragic deaths that I have dealt with and the loss of a beautiful, innocent, lively, intelligent and lovely seven-year-old in these circumstances is an unimaginable tragedy.
“I appreciate that Emily’s parents are beyond devastated and my sincere thoughts are with them at this enormously sad time.”
Emily’s family said in a statement: “Emily had such a cheeky smile and was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart as big as her smile. Emily was never happier than when she was spending time with her family and friends, she was our own little social butterfly.
“Emily had a passion for the outdoors and loved to play any sport, even when she was wearing her pink sparkly dresses.
“We are beyond devastated that this random act of violence means that we will never get to see our beautiful little girl grow up into the wonderful young lady she was showing such promise of becoming.
“It is truly heartbreaking to wake up to a world without Emily in it and we cannot comprehend why this has happened.”
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