Tragic Death of Schoolgirl Kiara Ainsworth After Medication Delay and Bath Seizure
A thirteen-year-old schoolgirl described as 'beautiful' and 'caring' by her devastated family was found dead in the bath following an epileptic seizure, just days after her family struggled to obtain her vital medication. Kiara Ainsworth, from Accrington in Lancashire, had been taking a daily dose of levetiracetam to prevent seizures and had not suffered one for over twelve months prior to the tragic incident.
Medication Access Failure and Communication Breakdown
On April 25, 2025, Kiara's mother attempted to secure a repeat prescription from their GP at Peel House Medical Practice but was unsuccessful as it was not marked as urgent. Kiara took her final dose the following morning, a Saturday. Pharmacist Samantha Hardman testified at the inquest that if an urgent request had been made, the medication could have been issued, highlighting a critical communication failure.
The inquest further revealed that due to an administrative error at the GP surgery, a letter from Kiara's consultant in November 2024 requesting an increase in her anti-seizure medication dose was not acted upon. Dr Adnan Akram explained that the practice receives around 1,000 letters weekly, and not all are reviewed by clinicians, with staff mistakenly believing the hospital was handling the prescription.
Fatal Evening and Safety Advice Lapses
On the evening of April 27, 2025, Kiara spent time on the phone with her boyfriend, saw a friend, and played upstairs before taking a bath around 10 pm. Her mother, Zara Ainsworth, and stepfather, Hayden Maher, checked on her at approximately 10:15 pm, finding her fine and leaving her to bathe with privacy. Shortly after, when her stepfather went to check on her, he discovered Kiara fully submerged in the water, lying on her side.
Despite immediate CPR and the rapid arrival of paramedics, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The inquest heard that the family had been advised by a specialist epilepsy nurse about the dangers of bathing due to the risk of seizure and drowning, with supervision recommended. However, the shower was not working at the time of her death, and supervision was inconsistent.
Coroner's Findings and Family Tributes
Coroner Emma Mather delivered a narrative conclusion, stating that Kiara died from an epileptic seizure in the bath. She noted that missing three doses of her medication likely contributed to the seizure, and Kiara was unsupervised at the critical moment. Dr Bendon Kollannoor from East Lancashire Hospital Trust testified that while missing doses increases seizure likelihood, seizures remain unpredictable even with proper medication.
Following the hearing, Kiara's heartbroken family paid emotional tributes, describing her as their 'whole world' and a 'quirky' girl who loved animals, horse riding, and nature. Relative Christine Houghton said, 'She was the most beautiful and kind, fun and sassy 13-year-old girl you could hope to meet and has left a huge hole in our hearts.' The family expressed that life without her is 'crushing us emotionally' and every day is a struggle.
