When police checked the area where Nyla May Bradshaw was last seen, they found the metal gate leading to the golf course slightly ajar. Nearby cameras captured movement at 4:30:52 p.m.

In the clip, a small figure runs toward the gate — and in the final seconds, the gate appears to close.

New details emerging from the inquest into the death of seven-year-old Nyla May Bradshaw have shed light on one of the most critical moments in her final minutes: a metal gate on the boundary of Owston Hall Golf Course that should have been secured but was found slightly ajar when officers arrived.

Although the inquest has confirmed that Nyla, who was non-verbal and autistic, escaped her childminder by passing through a gap in a fence while at a park in the Owston area of Doncaster on the morning of March 30, 2026, enhanced CCTV analysis and on-site examination have drawn attention to an additional boundary point — a metal gate providing access toward the golf course grounds and adjacent woodland.

The 4:30:52 p.m. Footage and the Running Figure

Nearby security or traffic cameras recorded subtle movement at 4:30:52 p.m. When investigators reviewed the clip frame by frame, they observed a small figure — consistent in size and movement with Nyla — running energetically toward the gate area. The child appeared curious and unafraid, moving with the quick, exploratory pace her family knew well.

In the final seconds of the short sequence, the gate itself appears to swing partially closed after the figure passes through or near it. Whether this was caused by wind, the child’s own movement brushing against it, or an automatic mechanism is still under review. What is clear is that the gate was not fully latched or secured at the time — a detail police noted when they examined the scene later that day. The gate was found slightly ajar, creating an unintended pathway from the park/woodland edge directly onto the golf course property.

This aligns with earlier inquest testimony that Nyla passed through a hole or gap in fencing before heading toward woodland close to Owston Hall Golf Course. The combination of the unsecured gate and the existing fence gap may have allowed her rapid access to the open grounds where the fatal pond was located.

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From a Brief Lapse to Tragedy in Minutes

Nyla had been dropped off that morning around 7:45–8:00 AM with a new childminder for the first time. The carer, who was Ofsted-registered and had been recommended via a local Facebook group, was explicitly warned that Nyla was a “flight risk” due to her autism and history of wandering. Despite this, during an outing to a local park, Nyla slipped away in what the childminder described as a momentary lapse of visual contact.

The distance from the park area to the pond on the golf course was short enough for an energetic seven-year-old to cover quickly. Search teams later located small footprints near the water’s edge, and the enhanced CCTV now adds another layer: the running figure heading toward the gate, followed by the partial closing motion.

Nyla was reported missing shortly before 10:00 AM. An extensive search involving South Yorkshire Police officers, drones, and a helicopter was launched immediately. Tragically, the helicopter crew spotted her body face down in the pond on the golf course grounds. She was pulled from the water and taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where she was pronounced dead at 13:18 BST. No suspicious circumstances have been identified; the death is being treated as a tragic accident.

The Childminder, Safeguarding, and Unanswered Questions

The inquest, opened on April 9, 2026, at Doncaster Coroner’s Court by Senior Coroner Nicola Mundy, heard evidence from a coroner’s officer that Nyla had passed through a gap in the fence during the excursion. A multi-agency review involving Doncaster Council and Ofsted is now examining whether appropriate safety measures — such as reins, constant one-to-one supervision, or more secure boundaries — were in place for a child with complex needs.

The discovery of the slightly ajar metal gate has raised further questions about perimeter security at the golf course and adjacent public areas. While golf courses often have gates for maintenance or player access, families and safety advocates argue that such entry points should be kept locked or fitted with child-resistant mechanisms, especially near residential and park zones where young children play.

Nyla’s Bright Light and Lasting Legacy

Nyla May Bradshaw was remembered by her family and friends as a “sweet little girl,” “full of light,” “magical,” and always laughing. Her mother, Hayley, and loved ones described her as bringing immense joy and energy despite being non-verbal and requiring constant supervision. A GoFundMe set up in her memory quickly raised thousands of pounds to support the family, with tributes highlighting her love for life and the special place she held in everyone’s hearts.

Autism support organisations, including local groups in Doncaster, have used the case to raise awareness about elopement risks in neurodivergent children. Experts emphasise that wandering can happen in seconds, even in seemingly safe environments, and call for better tools like GPS trackers, secure fencing, and specialist training for carers.

The full inquest hearing is expected later in 2026 to allow further evidence gathering, including detailed analysis of all available footage and boundary conditions.

A Preventable Tragedy?

The image of a small figure running toward an unsecured gate that then appears to close behind her has become one of the most poignant elements in the unfolding inquest. It symbolises how a single open gate — one that “shouldn’t have been open” — combined with a momentary lapse in supervision, created a pathway to unimaginable loss.

Nyla was laughing and exploring with innocent curiosity just minutes earlier. Her vibrant spirit touched everyone who knew her, and her death has left a community grieving while highlighting the urgent need for stronger safeguards around water features, open spaces, and childcare for autistic children.

Our deepest condolences remain with Nyla’s family, friends, and all who loved her. May her memory inspire better protections so that no other child finds an open gate leading to danger.