A young mum was found dead in bed by her mother just days after it was thought she was suffering from a cold or a bug.

The tragedy of Kirsty Louise Childs, unfolded at an inquest - two years after her sudden death.

Kirsty, 20, of Gilthwaites Crescent, Denby Dale, had been well enough to eat some Christmas dinner in 2012 but her mother Angela told an inquest that she noticed she began feeling unwell that day.

In Mrs Childs’ statement read to the court by assistant coroner Mary Burke she said: “She had always been fit and healthy with no medical problems.

On Christmas Day she began feeling unwell. However, she still ate her Christmas dinner but on Boxing Day she continued to feel unwell.

A family portrait of tragic mum Kirsty Childs and her daughter Alisia

Mrs Childs said: “I thought she was coming down with a cold or something similar.”

By the time it got to New Year’s Eve though she was suffering from stomach pain, sickness and diarrohea.

Mrs Childs added that on New Year’s Day: “She was not eating properly, she spent most of the day in bed.”

Later she said she “heard a loud bang” and found her on the landing. She added: “I was not sure if she had tripped. I made sure she had some water.

“Kirsty wanted cuddling. I got into bed and cuddled her for a while.”

In the early hours of January 2 she said Kirsty was still awake and she asked her mum for help in getting to the toilet.

Mrs Childs said: “However, when she stood up off the toilet her eyes were wide open and she had a vacant expression. She began to shake and her breathing became erratic.”

Kirsty Childs, of Denby Dale, with her daughter Alisia

In a second statement made to clarify various aspects of her first one, Mrs Childs added that her daughter had produced blood in her diarrohea and vomit.

Although NHS Direct were contacted for advice, Bradford Coroners’ Court heard however it was eventually decided that her family would call Kirsty’s local GP practice in Skelmanthorpe on January 2.

Dr Susan Walker duly attended and with Kirsty’s mother walked into her bedroom where Dr Walker found she had died. She confirmed her death at 12.40pm.

Consultant pathologist Alan Padwell who carried out the post mortem told the court Kirsty had died from septic shock due to small bowel infraction due to superior mesenteric thrombosis.

Kirsty was the mother of Alisia

The inquest which is expected to last for three days continues.