Schoolgirl, 11, died hours after doctors diagnosed her with ‘constipation’ and sent her home from A&E while suffering abdominal pain

The parents of a schoolgirl who died hours after doctors diagnosed her with constipation and sent her home from the emergency room are demanding answers.

Annabel Greenhalgh, 11, was taken to Warwick Hospital by her parents on the evening of October 13 after complaining of stomach pains.

The doctors said she was constipated and discharged her. But the next morning her father Craig found her unconscious in their Warwick home and called 999.

Despite attempts by paramedics to revive her, Annabel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Between 2017 and 2021, Annabel had several episodes of severe abdominal pain and required hospital treatment several times.

An inquest into the popular schoolgirl’s death begins at Coventry Coroners’ Court this Friday.

Annabel Greenhalgh, 11, from Warwick died hours after being diagnosed with constipation and sent home from hospital

Ahead of the hearing, her parents Craig and Josie spoke about the “gaping hole” Annabel’s death has left in their lives.

Josie, 45, said: ‘Annabel was a wonderful child and loved by everyone who met her. She was gentle, phenomenally smart, creative, fun and always inclusive of everyone.

‘She absolutely loved her music, her fashion, her art, her friends and her beloved cat Reuben.

‘She was our greatest gift and brought so much love, joy and happiness into our lives.

“Since we lost her, many of our days have been filled with fear, emptiness and sadness.”

Annabel had started Alcester Grammar School just before her tragic death and was described as ‘much loved’ by teachers and pupils.

Her parents hope the inquest will answer crucial questions about her treatment before she died.

Annabel (pictured) had started Alcester Grammar School just before her tragic death and was described as ‘much loved’ by teachers and pupils

Craig said: ‘When we were told we could take Annabel home from hospital we were confident there was nothing serious going on.

‘Waking up the next morning to find her unresponsive was absolutely devastating and something we are still struggling to comprehend.

“Every day since then we have wondered if more could have been done to save our little girl.

‘She was our only child and we still have so many unanswered questions about what happened to her.

‘We know it will be incredibly difficult to hear everything again at the inquest, but it is something we must do to honor our daughter and get the answers we have been seeking for more than 18 months.

‘Since we lost Annabel, a gaping hole has opened up in our lives and what we have suffered is something we wouldn’t wish on anyone.

‘She had just started high school and had her whole life ahead of her. Words can’t really express how much we miss her.’

Craig and Josie have commissioned medical negligence lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to investigate the tragedy.

The family’s lawyer, Emma Rush, said: ‘Josie and Craig remain understandably devastated by losing their little girl so suddenly and tragically.

‘They are also left with a number of questions about what happened to her.

“While nothing can bring Annabel back, the inquest is an important milestone in giving her family the answers they deserve.

‘If issues are identified in the care provided to Annabel during the course of the investigation, it is vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.’