Inquest hears of toddler massage tragedy

A MOTHER who was having a massage when her toddler was crushed to death as the table was lowered says the clinic welcomed children in its rooms.

"I felt safe there and I felt my children were safe there," Justine Schulz told the Adelaide inquest into the death of her daughter Sophie.

Ms Schulz was giving evidence on Monday to Adelaide Coroners Court into the death of Sophie, who was 18 months-old when she suffered major head injuries and died at the Fravira Clinic in St Morris on June 17, 2009.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Amy Cacas, said children were welcome at the clinic as patients and when they accompanied parents or guardians.

On June 17, Sophie and her four-year-old brother were in the treatment room with their mother, playing with toys supplied by the clinic.

The therapist, Mira Maric, pressed a pedal to lower the massage table for the last stage of the treatment.

"They heard a grunting sound emanating from below the table and found Sophie trapped in the workings of the machine," Ms Cacas said.

Ms Maric tried to raise the table, but it would not move, and others ran into the room but were unable to free her.

Ms Cacas said the clinic's proprietor, Elvira Blunt, was prosecuted by Safework SA, but the charges were later withdrawn.

Ms Schulz had been attending the clinic for 13 years, often saw children there and saw other patients actively involved in looking after them.

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Inquest hears of toddler massage tragedy