The family of a tragic two-year-old who died following a family holiday to Turkey have been searching for answers for almost three years. Next week, their wait might finally be over as the toddler's death is considered by a coroner at an inquest.
Allie Brenda Birchall, from Atherton, near Wigan, fell ill shortly after returning from the trip in July 2019. She died at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on August 3.
Her heartbroken mother Katie Dawson says she is desperate for answers. In a few days, the tragic case will go before a coroner for a final hearing.
Coroner Zak Golombeck opened the review at Manchester Coroners' Court on May 24, 2021. The short hearing was told pathologist Dr Melanie Newbould had given Allie's cause of death as 'encephalopathy and other complications associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) due to toxins produced from E. Coli'.
The court heard evidence from a report by consultant microbiologist, Dr Vanya Gant, which said the strain of E. Coli was 'almost certainly acquired in Turkey'. Dr Gant described it as 'a rare serotype not previously seen in the UK'.
Ian Denham, a barrister representing Allie's family, told the inquest that other family members had also fallen ill around the time of the holiday. Mr Golombeck said the scope of he inquest would be extended to look at how, when and where Allie came to be exposed to the E. Coli pathogen, and whether her death was avoidable.
On May 17, the final hearing will take place at Manchester Coroners' Court. Allie’s mum Katie, 36, said: “The past three years have been the worst of my life. I still struggle to accept that Allie has gone, as she was so full of life and such a happy little girl.
“All of us fell ill around about the time of our holiday to Turkey, but we didn’t think for one minute that it would end the way it did.
“Our lives haven’t been the same since then and while we can’t turn back the clock and change what happened, we need answers as to why our princess was taken from us. It’s the least we deserve and we hope the inquest will provide us with these.”
Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Allie’s family, said: “It’s almost three years since Allie died and her loved ones are understandably still devastated at losing her in such a tragic way.
“The family were really looking forward to their holiday in Turkey, but after they returned home Allie fell ill and what they then had to go through was the worst experience of their lives. While we can’t change the suffering they’ve had to endure, we’re determined to help them obtain the answers they deserve and will continue to support them throughout the inquest process.
“If, during the course of the inquest any issues are identified, we also call for lessons to be learned.”
To get the latest email updates from the Manchester Evening News, click here.
