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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
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Helena Vesty & Michelle Cullen

Mum warns parents after 2-year-old 'princess' daughter dies from E.coli poisoning on family holiday to Turkey

A two-year-old girl died after she contracted E. coli on a dream holiday to Turkey .

Allie Birchall's family was left devastated after the toddler became ill after returning home from the summer trip.

Her heartbroken mum has now warned other parents about the dangers of E. coli.

READ MORE: Tributes pour in for father of Ana Kriégel following his death as funeral arrangements confirmed

Allie had gone on an all-inclusive, 10-day holiday with her family on July 23, 2019, an inquest at Manchester Coroner's Court heard last month. By July 27, she had become ill with stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Just 11 days later, Allie had deteriorated so much that doctors could not save her.

She 'was found to have a unique strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) which must have originated in Turkey, but it is not possible to say how Allie acquired it', the coroner concluded.

After Allie was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital, 'Doctors were concerned that Allie was suffering from Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome caused by Shiga[-Toxin] producing Escherichia coli', the coroner found.

Allie’s mum Katie, 36, has moved to warn other parents (SWNS)

Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome is a potentially fatal blood condition linked to Shiga-Toxin E. coli which can lead to kidney failure and brain damage.

As she was diagnosed with both illnesses, medics decided Allie needed to be transferred to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for more supportive treatment, including dialysis.

She was placed into an induced coma on August 1, and her family made the heart-wrenching decision to terminate her life support two days later, after an MRI scan revealed she had suffered brain damage, they told the inquest.

After almost three years of waiting for answers about what happened to their little girl, the family hopes others might be saved their suffering as they watched Allie be 'snatched away in the cruellest way possible'.

Allie's mum Katie, 36, said: "Losing our little Allie so tragically and suddenly was heartbreaking for us all, and it's still incredibly difficult to think we'll never see her again.

"When she was admitted to hospital, we were all praying she would pull through. To be told she had suffered brain damage was absolutely devastating.

"The whole experience has been nothing short of traumatic, and we have lost a huge part of our lives. Allie had her whole life ahead of her before it was snatched away in the cruellest way possible. Her death is something we'll never get over.

Allie’s mum Katie, 36, has moved to warn other parents (SWNS)

"Sadly, nothing can turn back the clock and bring our princess back to us, but we're grateful that the inquest is over and we at least have some answers. All we can hope for now is that others don't have to suffer like our family has."

The coroner found little Allie's medical cause of death to be encephalopathy (brain swelling) and other complications associated with Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome, brought on by Shiga-Toxin producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection.

Jatinder Paul, the Senior Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell representing Allie's loved ones, said: "Allie's death continues to have a profound effect on her family, including her mum Katie who in particular is understandably still struggling to come to terms with what they've all been through.

"While we can't change what happened, Allie's family at least now have some answers as to why she was taken from them so soon. The dangers of gastric illnesses and infections should never be downplayed.

"E.coli is extremely serious and can result in long-term health problems and, in the worst cases, such as this, death. We'll continue to support them as they attempt to come to terms with their loss."

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