The toddler died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff

Fifteen-month-old Jonathan Williams Askew - described by his mother as a "happy and smiley little boy, who was adored by everyone he came across" - suffered head injuries and died in hospital in May.

At the inquest at Milford Haven on Thursday, Pembrokeshire coroner Michael Howells described it was one of the "most tragic" cases he had seen in recent years.

The court heard how Jonathan's father Anthony Askew, a carpenter, had been painting the utility room at their home in St Florence, Pembrokeshire, at the time the accident happened.

The toddler had spent the day with his mother, Rachel Williams, in Tenby and when they returned home he was told not to go into the utility room.

But, the coroner, was told at some stage Jonathan did go in to see his father.

Shortly after the ladder Mr Askew was standing on slipped and both he and the ladder fell on the little boy.

Mr Askew, who passed out momentarily because of the fall, told the inquest that he came round to hear his partner shouting, as she saw her son trapped underneath him and the ladder.

Jonathan had also lost consciousness and had cuts to his head.

The family called an ambulance and he was rushed to Withybush hospital near Haverfordwest.

He was then moved by helicopter to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff but he died the next day from his head injuries.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Michael Howells said it was the saddest case he had come across in recent years and told Jonathan's parents that although they would probably feel guilt for the rest of their lives, it was an accident.

A report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) was quoted during the inquest.

It said that around 50 die each year due to accidents involving ladders and concluded that in this case, the ladder was not the right ladder for the job because it could not be attached securely.

But the report did conclude that the accident could not have been predicted.