A child died in a freak accident as his parents watched the World Cup on television.

Jack Harper, two, was found suffocated with his head jammed between the bars of his cot when his father went to check on him.

His parents, Kevin and Nicky, were in the living room of their detached house in Hill View, Carterton, near Witney, watching the football match between Germany and Croatia.

Fighting back tears, jobless Mr Harper said: "The police investigation is still ongoing and we expect the inquest to be opened shortly. I am sorry, I just don't wish to talk about it."

A family friend comforting the parents said Mr Harper had gone to check on his five sleeping children when he made the horrifying discovery.

The youngest, Jack, was wedged through the side of his cot, trapped by the neck.

Despite efforts by paramedics to revive him, he was certified dead at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on Saturday night.

The friend said: "Everyone is heartbroken."

Police launched an investigation but the death is not being treated as suspicious. A report is being prepared for coroner Nicholas Gardiner.

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