Boston Pilgrim Hospital's A&E 'in chaos as girl died' Published duration 31 August 2013

image caption The inquest heard that Jessica would have died regardless of her treatment

Hospital staff appeared "terrified" when a dying 14-year-old girl was brought in for treatment, an inquest has heard.

Jessica Ashton-Pyatt, of Staffordshire, suffered from an irreparable ruptured stomach while on holiday at Butlins in Lincolnshire last October.

Witnesses at the Boston Enterprise Centre described the Boston Pilgrim Hospital's A&E department as chaotic.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust apologised for the distress caused.

At the hearing on Friday, one paramedic said two of the staff in the team earmarked to resuscitate Jessica appeared "overwhelmed and terrified" by the situation.

One of them tried to use a bone gun to insert a tube in an "alarming fashion", pointing it at one of the doctors rather than towards the patient because he tried to use it upside down.

'Very unusual'

Neither of the two members of staff were named at the inquest which heard that "even with the best treatment in the world" Jessica would not have survived because she was so ill.

Jessica, from Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, died on 28 October.

South Lincolnshire coroner Prof Robert Forrest recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.

Jessica's mother Nicola Pyatt said she would consider legal action against the hospital as a result of the evidence revealed during the inquest.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust said in a statement: "We express our sincere condolences to the family of Jessica Ashton-Pyatt and apologise for any distress caused during her treatment.

"The inquest concluded that Jessica died from natural causes and whilst we recognise that the patient's condition was very unusual, we also recognise that there were aspects of care which did not meet the high standards that we normally deliver.

"We take these matters extremely seriously and have carried out an internal investigation to enable us to take steps to improve the care provided.