Schoolgirl dies after appendix op

A 15-year-old Shropshire schoolgirl has died following an operation to remove her appendix. Tributes have now been paid to Danielle Harris, of Coneybury View, Broseley.

Danielle, a Year 10 pupil at Thomas Telford School, died on May 29.

Letters have now been sent out to all parents from the school, informing them of the "tragic" loss. The letter said students had received counselling.

Sir Kevin Satchwell, headmaster, also extended his sympathies to the family.

He said: "She was much loved and will be sadly missed by everyone at the school. Our thoughts are with Danielle's family at this very difficult time."

An inquest opened at the Telford's Princess Royal Hospital today heard that on May 10, Danielle attended the hospital's accident and emergency department with stomach pains, was X-rayed and underwent surgery to remove her appendix.

Alison Enmarsh, coroner's officer, said: "She was discharged on May 12, but continued to be in pain. On May 27 she went to her general practitioner and attended hospital.

"Fluids were found in her abdomen and she was scheduled for an operation that day."

The inquest heard she became unresponsive, went into cardiac arrest and died at 1.50pm. The cause of death was given as pulmonary emboli from deep vein thrombosis following surgery.

The inquest was adjourned.