Spray death tragedy of holiday girl

A 12-year-old girl with her life ahead of her died after inhaling deodorant while on holiday with her family.

Paige Daughtry, of Oak Street, Shaw, was on a family trip to Cala Gran Holiday Park, Fleetwood, when her body was discovered in a bedroom of the caravan they were staying in.

An inquest, held at the Heywood yesterday, heard how Paige, along with her mother, father and older sister arrived at the holiday park for a week-long break on Friday, July 15, last year.

Three days later Paige had enjoyed a day-trip to Blackpool.

In the evening, when her dad, Stewart Daughtry took her older sister to the beach, Paige stayed at the caravan with her mum Ann, and went to listen to music in the bedroom.

Around 10 minutes later Ann shouted her but received no answer and when she went to check on her, she found her lying face down and unresponsive on the bed at around 8.45pm.

Two people in neighbouring caravans, David Richardson and Yvonne Beardall, heard Ann's calls for help and went to her aid.

Paramedics attended along with police and Paige was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10.19pm.

Forensic pathologist Jonathon Metcalfe said an examination showed that Paige was healthy, however butane and isobutane, a central nervous system depressant which can kill instantly when inhaled, were found in Paige's brain.

He gave a cause of death as inhalation of volatile substances, butane and isobutane.

A police investigation of the caravan found an empty Right Guard deodorant can, which contains the chemicals, underneath the window of the en-suite bathroom of the bedroom where Paige was found. Another Right Guard can was found in the bedroom.

The court heard that Paige had had issues with being bullied in the past and had self-harmed on one occasion 12 months prior to her death.

But when police reviewed her social media accounts, spoke with her school, Royton and Crompton, and spoke with some of her friends, they found that although there had been some issues there was nothing to suggest she was unhappy.

When asked by Blackpool and Fylde District Coroner Alan Wilson whether her past issues could have impacted on her, Ann Daughty said: "No, she wouldn't have done this to herself, not at all."

She went on to say that at a school concert days before the holiday Paige had seemed the happiest she had been for some time.

Furthermore, she said there were no physical signs on Paige that would resemble someone who regularly abused deodorant, such as scabs around the mouth or nose.

Coroner Wilson ruled out suicide and gave a conclusion of misadventure caused by the inhalation of butane and isobutane.

He said: "I do find she was probably inhaling the fumes for other reasons on that day. I am not going to write a conclusion of suicide because it cannot be presumed. I have got to be sure beyond reasonable doubt. Just because she was a young girl who self-harmed some months ago doesn't mean she intended to take her life.

"I give a conclusion of misadventure. Paige was inhaling the fumes of the deodorant but she didn't intend to die as a result of that."

Paige was described as a bright, talented girl who will be sadly missed.

A statement from the family said: "On July 18, 2016, after a family day out in Blackpool while enjoying a family break from work and school we lost a valued part of our lives. Paige was a bright and talented girl who still had her whole life ahead of her, she dreamed one day to do something with her singing or art. Paige is sadly missed by friends and family we are all still in shock and grieving for a loving, loyal friend, daughter, sister and granddaughter."