Tragic toddler died after swallowing battery in toy that 'burnt hole in heart'

The parents of a toddler who died after swallowing a battery have issued a warning to parents of the dangers of button batteries in toys.

One-year-old Hughie McMahon died after swallowing an LR44 alkaline battery from a toy bear at Christmas.

When Hughie was rushed to hospital on Christmas Eve, doctors found his blood had become acidic and had burnt a coin-sized hole into his heart.

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The Mirror reports that Hughie's heartbroken parents Christine McDonald, 32, and Hugh McMahon, 29, later discovered that a battery had been missing from a VTech Swing & Sing monkey teddy toy, which had a compartment sealed with a screw to hold the battery in.

The family, from Motherwell in Scotland, said the decision to turn off life-support machines on Boxing Day was made once it was clear it was the only thing keeping him alive.

Hughie's parents held their son in their arms as he passed away.

Christine told The Scottish Sun : "It’s a living hell. I felt my boy leaving. There’s no words on this planet to describe so much pain.

“Nobody warned us about button batteries. I didn’t even know what they were but they’re in everything. I was more worried about bleach, falling downstairs and bumping heads.”

The devastated parents say they are now campaigning to stop tiny batteries from being sold.

Hugh added: "They've ruined our life and we want to make sure nobody else goes through what we have."

Scottish National Party's Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, has said she will raise the issue in parliament.

Consumer watchdog Which? is now warning parents to take care that all products that use button batteries are properly secured or kept out of reach