My nephew died after swallowing a battery from toy – we’ve had a year of torment without him
THE family of a baby who died after swallowing a button battery have told of their year of hell without him.
Devastated uncle Edd Foy, 41, said relatives are struggling after Boxing Day marked the first anniversary of tot Hughie McMahon’s tragic loss.
The one-year-old boy suffered catastrophic internal injuries after the power cell ended up in his mouth when it came loose from a teddy at his home in Motherwell.
Now 60,000 have signed a petition backing his loved ones’ plea for the sweetie-shaped items to be outlawed.
And Hughie’s parents Hugh McMahon, 30, and Christine McDonald, 33, had their calls for a batteries ban raised at the Scottish Parliament.
But Edd told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “This should be a time of year when everybody is happy yet it has been gut-wrenching for us.
“Not a day goes by when we don’t think of Hughie and remember the amazing little boy that he was.
“He brought so much light into our lives and would have gone on to great things. Instead, we are left with a massive gap which can never be filled.”
Edd added: “Hughie’s death was preventable. It is a scandal that button batteries are still being sold in toys.
“The threat of another kid dying will always remain. It’s not an ‘if’, it’s a ‘when’.”
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The batteries are also found in remote controls, electronics, cards and decorations.
Goods sold online often have them, with many failing to meet UK safety standards.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust estimates one or two children die every year from swallowing them.
Chief exec Katrina Phillips said: “Look out for gifts with easy access or spare button batteries and put them out of your child’s reach.
“And if you think your child has swallowed a button battery get them to A&E straight away.”
You can sign the petition .