Parents hope lessons can be learned from Tia's death

In a statement released following an inquest into her death on Monday the parents of six-year-old Tia Nagurski expressed pride in their "kind, funny, beautiful" little girl and unbearable loss at her death last September.

The statement followed a declaration by chief coroner John Lecky that new laws surrounding the safety of electricity lines need to be considered.

He said he would raise the issue with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment following the inquest into the death of Tia.

She tragically died last September after climbing to the top of a tree near her home in Ballymagroarty and grasping an electric cable.

Monday's inquest heard that the shock from the 11,000 volt overhead cable fatally disturbed her heart rhythm.

Parents, Brian and Natasha-Anne, said in a statement that they hoped that lessons could be learned from Tia's death.

"It is impossible to put into words the loss of a child in any circumstances and how this affects those around them. We are so proud of the kind, funny, beautiful little girl that we had," they stated.

"Tia is such an inspiration to all those who had the privilege of meeting her. A beautiful little girl, always ready with a cheeky little smile and a warm hug.

"A little girl who saw the wonder in everything. Someone who would write a note saying how much she loved you so you would find it on your pillow before you fell asleep," they added.

"Someone who always made sure she had enough to share. A little girl who could make a tree into an enchanted forest, fortress or climbing frame to see the cows in the next field.

"We live everyday with the disbelief that Tia went out to play yards from our back door only to come home in a white casket. We know in our heads that all the hopes we had can never be fulfilled and that there will always be an empty space but in our hearts we are still waiting for Tia to come bouncing through the door," the statement continued.

"Tia brought so many wonderful people into our lives both through her life and through her death. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who worked so hard to save her that night, friends and neighbours, the paramedics, the staff of Altnagelvin and the PSNI.

"Tia means the world to us and it is very humbling to see the impact that our beautiful daughter has had on the lives of so many. Our sincere hope is that lessons can be learned from Tia's death," it concluded.

SDLP councillor Mark H. Durkan has backed the chief coroner's call for new laws.

The Northland councillor said: "The call for new safety legislation regarding electricity cables was made at the inquest into the tragic death of local child Tia Nagurski.

"It is vital that lip service is not simply paid to this issue and that action is taken to create and enforce new laws so that we can avoid a tragedy like this happening again.

"This is bound to have been another very difficult day for the Nagurski family who have endured so much heartache since the death of their little girl.

"I appeal to anyone who notices any overhead cables that are close to trees to contact the local authorities or NIE."