Mother's warning after young boy chokes to death on bouncy ball

Alby Davis was due to celebrate his fourth birthday on Monday.

But the 3-year-old's life was cut short after he swallowed a bouncy ball and choked to death.

The small rubber ball, which was sent to little Alby as an early birthday present, got stuck in the toddler's windpipe, preventing his ability to breathe. His pregnant mother, Anna, tried desperately to save her son, but within seconds he died in her arms.

Taking to her Instagram, The Small Folk, the grief-stricken mum-of-three posted a tribute to her son, which has received more than 34,000 likes and 9000 comments of support.

"Yesterday afternoon, our beautiful, beautiful Alby, our darling baby boy, grew wings and flew from this Earth," she wrote.

"Minutes pass like hours and the gaping hole in our lives and hearts is completely incomprehensible.

"We adore you beyond belief, our sweet little fox. Forever three, forever free."

View this post on Instagram

Yesterday afternoon, our beautiful, beautiful Alby, our darling baby boy, grew wings and flew from this earth. Minutes pass like hours and the gaping hole in our lives and hearts is completely incomprehensible. We adore you beyond belief, our sweet little fox. Forever three, forever free 🕊

A post shared by THE SMALL FOLK (@the.small.folk) on Feb 26, 2018 at 10:40pm PST

A GoFundMe page has since been launched to assist the family, who live in Wynyard, Tasmania, as Anna is self-employed and her husband, Simon, is a relief teacher and isn't entitled to paid leave.

The page has gained more than A$180,000 ($192,000) in donations, as people around the country support the family in any way possible.

"I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through at this time. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you," one person posted to the page.

View this post on Instagram

Don’t let that sweet face fool you... this cheeky rascal gave us a big scare this morning! 🐒 We were all up in the attic together when Alby decided to head back downstairs. A few minutes later we could smell something burning, so I raced down to find our microwave billowing smoke - Alby had tried to warm up his own heat pack (because, #resourceful ✔️), and had put the timer on for 20 minutes instead of 2 😅 After racing the burning heat pack and microwave plate into the backyard and hosing it down, we are now left with a house that smells pleasantly like burnt wheat 🔥🌾😷👌🏽 #anyonecomingforaplaydatethisweek? #BYOfumigationmask

A post shared by THE SMALL FOLK (@the.small.folk) on Nov 5, 2017 at 2:04am PST

"The most gorgeous face and one that will never be forgotten, sending all our love, strength and prayers to help you through this time," another added.

Speaking to the Mercury, a neighbour said what had happened to the family was "unfathomable".

"There has been an outpouring of people, food and kindness."

Anna, who is expecting her fourth child, thanked her online following for the support she and her husband had received.

"No words could ever express the depths of our gratitude for the outpouring of love we have received since our worst nightmare became our daily reality," she wrote alongside an image of her son tucked up in bed.

View this post on Instagram

“I can’t wait to go to bed tonight Mum!” Our precious boy, with his brand new doona cover, 2.49pm on Monday afternoon... exactly 40 minutes before he took his final earthside breath in my arms 🕊 No words could ever express the depths of our gratitude for the outpouring of love we have received since our worst nightmare became our daily reality. During this time of immense grief, your thoughts, prayers, sympathy and tears have enveloped and uplifted us, and we could never thank you enough for your overwhelming generosity and support. Sweet Alby, forever three, forever free 🕊

A post shared by THE SMALL FOLK (@the.small.folk) on Mar 1, 2018 at 3:18am PST

"During this time of immense grief, your thoughts, prayers, sympathy and tears have enveloped and uplifted us, and we could never thank you enough for your overwhelming generosity and support."

Alby is survived by an older sister Sage and little brother Acre.

To donate to the Davis family, head to GoFundMe.com