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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tim Hanlon

Ella Swann, 14, who died in pool tragedy was 'ray of sunshine who touched many'

A schoolgirl who drowned in a swimming pool was a "ray of sunshine who touched many lives", an inquest heard.

Ella Swann, 14, a member of Solihull Swimming Club at North Solihull Sports Centre "suffered an epileptic fit" while in the water and while she was rescued she died two days later on March 2 at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"She was a known epileptic. It is very likely she had some epilepsy activity while she was swimming and that led to her losing consciousness," Dr Antonio Perez-Iranzo told an inquest jury at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner's Court.

He said the cause of death was "hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, as a result of drowning, as a result of a generalised chronic seizure while swimming."

The jury concluded on Wednesday that Ella died as a result of an accident.

Ella "suffered an epileptic fit" at North Solihull Sports Centre (Jonathan Hipkiss/Birmingham Mail)

Her dad Michael Swann paid tribute to Ella, calling her a "ray of sunshine", reported BirminghamLive.

He said: "Ella was a young lady, just making her way in life. Ella was well known for her kind nature, always full of joy, full of love and cared for others. She always tried her best to give things a go. She was a ray of sunshine.

"We are devastated. She is truly missed. Ella was a really special girl."

Mr Swann said that she wanted to be a primary school teacher when she was older.

"By year 10, she studied drama, English and music. Ella loved the arts, she loved the process of designing, structuring and delivering performance," he said.

"In English, Ella enjoyed creative writing. When asked what she would like to do as a career, she said she would like to be a primary school teacher. She could combine her creative side with her kind nature." She also played the violin as part of the school orchestra.

Ella was found in the swimming pool and taken to hospital where she died two days later (Jonathan Hipkiss/Birmingham Mail)

In a record of inquest, the jury panel concluded: "On the evening of 28th February, 2022, Ella attended her routine Solihull Swimming Club squad session at North Solihull Sports Centre. Sometime between 21:00 and 21:05, Ella was discovered as the bottom of the pool.

"Ella was pulled unconscious from the pool and given CPR by sports centre staff and subsequently emergency services. CPR was complicated due to persistent vomiting.

"Ella was transported to hospital and had suffered cardiac arrest. Ella was diagnosed with a hypoxic brain injury and died at 17.12 on 2 March 2022 at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"Ella trained and swam at Solihull Swimming Club. Her favourite stroke was backstroke. She was part of swimming galas.

"She enjoyed taking part and even more she enjoyed the atmosphere and supporting other club members. For Ella it was all about taking part and having fun."

The jury concluded that Ella died as a result of an accident (Jonathan Hipkiss/Birmingham Mail)

The Arden Academy pupil, from Dorridge, was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 10 but she had never experienced any seizures during physical activity.

Addressing Ella's family members, Senior Coroner Louise Hunt said: "There's nothing I can say to help the pain that you and your family go through every day. I hope in some sense this process has helped you understand a little bit more about what happened.

"I realise it doesn't bring all of the answers. I hope with time you can remember the girl, the person, that you described. Thank you for sharing an insight into who Ella was.

"The excellent student, the girl who loved drama, English and music and also her sports, her running and swimming. And that ray of sunshine that you described to me - the person who cared so much about others and touched so many lives.

"And ultimately ending saving so many lives with that incredibly generous donation of her organs."

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