A TODDLER died at home of respiratory failure after she became ill with "unexpected and terrifying speed", an inquest heard today. (Thursday, March 23)

Two-year-old Imogen Sophia Tither lost her life on August 31 last year at her family’s home in Orchard Grove, in Stanley, County Durham.

A post mortem revealed she had suffered respiratory failure originating from laryngotracheobronchitis and pneumonitis- a form of croup.

Coroner Crispin Oliver said: “It came on with unexpected and terrifying speed in the course of a few hours of the night and the little girl succumbed and died in spite of the best efforts of her parents.

“There was nothing the parents could have done differently.”

Mr Oliver, sitting at Crook Civic Centre, recorded a verdict of death due to natural causes.

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