Relief from the mother of Gore toddler Lachie Jones, as a Coroner accepts her account of the lead up to his death

Police originally ruled the three-year-old accidentally drowned in an oxidation pond in 2019.

During the inquest Lachie's father accused his mother Michelle Officer, of being involved in his death.

But Coroner Alexander Ho's found there was insufficient evidence to conclude how he ended up in the pond, and is recommending another investigation.

NZ Herald reporter Ben Tomsett, says Officer's welcoming the findings, acknowledging his acceptance Lachie slipped away from her that day in a brief moment on inattention.