The devastated parents of a three-week-old boy who died suddenly are still in the dark as to how the tragedy happened.

Despite inquiries, an inquest was unable to find out why Zackary Thomas Sutcliffe, who was born at the Countess of Chester Hospital, died on October 10 last year.

He had been laid down on an inflatable baby ring on the floor by his dad Gary at their home on Victoria Road, Bagillt, in Flintshire.

But his mum Ceri Wilkinson called an ambulance at about 8.25am when she realised something was seriously wrong with him.

He was rushed to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, but was pronounced dead by doctors.

The inquest at Mold County Hall heard a post-mortem examination discovered there was bleeding in Zackary’s lungs, but the medical investigation was unable to find a cause of death.

Coroner for North Wales East and Central, John Gittins, said it did not fit the definition for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), because the ring was not designed for babies to be slept on.

Mr Gittins recorded an open conclusion.

He said: “It is impossible for me to make a determination on the balance of probabilities if this was death by natural causes or an accident.

“The open conclusion in no way suggests any suspicion, blame or fault, it is simply a legal finding.”

Mr Gittins offered his condolences to the parents.

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” he said.