Toddler Darcy Atkinson showed no signs of paddle-boarding fall when examined by paramedics, inquest hears

A Central Coast toddler who died from a catastrophic brain injury showed no signs of an alleged paddle-boarding accident when examined by paramedics, refuting suggestions by his mother's boyfriend that this accident may have caused the fatal injury.

Two-year-old Darcy Atkinson died on December 7, 2012 after presenting to Gosford hospital with bruises, traces of Ritalin in his bloodstream and the fatal brain injury that later claimed his life.

Mystery surrounds the cause of Darcy's brain injury, which is the central issue being examined this week in the NSW Coroner's Court.

The inquest has previously heard that, the day before his death, Darcy began vomiting repeatedly and then had a seizure, while in the care of his mother's boyfriend, Adam Taylor.

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Mr Taylor had texted Darcy's mother, Tara-Rae Maxwell that morning to say that the two-year-old had "had a little fall" while they were out paddle-boarding.

He also raised this as a possible cause of the infant's rapidly deteriorating condition when paramedics arrived at his home that afternoon following a triple zero call.

But on Tuesday one of the two paramedics who first examined Darcy at Mr Taylor's home said none of the signs of such an injury were present.

"There was no obvious boggy area or swelling of the head," Bradley Gee told the inquest.

"It's something we would've felt for if someone's hit their head or had a fall onto their head."

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Toddler Darcy Atkinson showed no signs of paddle-boarding fall when examined by paramedics, inquest hears