Injuries suffered by a 17-month-old Oamaru boy at home on Tuesday afternoon appear not to have been suspicious, police said yesterday.
In a press release, Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis, of Dunedin, said police inquiries were continuing after Daniel Milliken was critically injured in a "tragic incident''.
Family members at the North Oamaru house where the incident occurred declined to comment yesterday.
Fairfax reported earlier that Daniel's older half brother, Michael Clarke (20) said the boy tried to climb up a set of drawers that had a television on top.
"The drawers toppled and the TV fell on him landing on his head,'' Mr Clarke said.
Mr Clarke's stepfather was at home at the time, he said.
Daniel was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital on Tuesday before he was transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland with life-threatening head injuries.
Mr Clarke said surgeons removed a small portion of damaged brain, and it was hoped he could recover, but feared he could have reduced motor skills.
"We appreciate all the support ... from the many people that love him and the caring strangers,'' Mr Clarke said.
"It's a terrible, terrible accident that ... I would never wish upon anybody, ever.''
Support services have been put in place to assist the family, police said.
