Schoolgirl, 13, was found dead in bath when she suffered an epileptic seizure days after her family struggled to get her vital medication

By JAMES TOZER, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT Published: 14:41, 22 April 2026 | Updated: 14:42, 22 April 2026 A 'beautiful' and 'caring’ schoolgirl was found dead in the bath following an epileptic seizure just days after her family struggled to obtain vital medication. Kiara Ainsworth, 13, took a daily dose to prevent seizures, an inquest heard, and had not suffered one for over 12 months. But on April 25, 2025 her mother was unsuccessful in getting a repeat prescription from her GP as it was not marked as urgent. Kiara - described by her family as 'amazing' and 'quirky' - took her final dose the following morning, a Saturday. At around 10pm on April 27 her mother and stepfather checked on Kiara in the bathroom at the family home in Accrington, Lancashire before leaving her to have some privacy. But a few minutes later she was found fully submerged in the bath, and while paramedics rushed to the scene they were unable to resuscitate her. An inquest heard that the couple had been advised that it would be safer for her not to have baths due to her condition. However the hearing was told that at the time of her death the shower was not working. Kiara Ainsworth, 13, died after being found collapsed in the bath at her home in Accrington, Lancashire, on April 27, 2025 after suffering an epileptic seizure After the hearing her devastated family said she was their 'whole world' and that life without her was 'crushing us emotionally'. Following the tragedy, relative Christine Houghton paid tribute to Kiara, saying: ‘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.’ Kiara, who loved animals and horse riding, had been diagnosed with epilepsy when she was ten years old. She was prescribed levetiracetam to control her seizures, taking a daily 5ml dose orally, with her last known seizure occurring in March 2024. On the day of her death, Kiara spent time on the phone with her boyfriend, saw her friend and had been playing upstairs before taking a bath at around 10pm. Her mother Zara and stepfather Hayden Maher checked on her at around 10.15pm when she appeared fine and was left to bathe with some privacy. Speaking to her from outside, Ms Ainsworth saw her daughter stand up to get out of the bath, so she went downstairs. Shortly afterwards, she asked her partner to call for Kiara, who went to check on her. Kiara (pictured with her stepfather Hayden Maher) was described by her grieving family as 'the most beautiful, amazing, quirky and caring little girl' When he arrived in the bathroom, he saw her fully submerged in the water, lying on her side. He began performing CPR before ambulance crews arrived, but Kiara could not be resuscitated. Giving evidence, her mother said when she called the pharmacy at Peel House Medical Practice on the Friday she was told that Kiara's medication was not available. Pharmacist Samantha Hardman told the hearing that if an 'urgent' request had been made, 'we would have been able to issue it'. She added 'it seems to fall down to communication'. The inquest heard the family had been advised they could contact 111 if they ran out of medication.   Dr Bendon Kollannoor, from East Lancashire Hospital Trust, told the hearing that missing doses could increase the likelihood of a seizure - but he stressed that they remain unpredictable even with correct medication. A specialist epilepsy nurse had spoken to the family about the dangers of having a bath due to the risk of having a seizure and drowning, Preston Coroner’s Court was told. The inquest also heard that due to an 'admin error' by her GP surgery, a letter from Kiara's consultant in November 2024 asking for her dose of anti-seizure medication to be increased was not acted upon. Dr Adnan Akram, from Peel House Medical Practice, told the hearing: ‘We receive around 1,000 letters a week and not all are read by a clinician. ‘A member of staff thought the medication was being issued by the hospital and there was no action for the GP.' Coroner Emma Mather gave a narrative conclusion that Kiara died when she suffered an epileptic seizure in the bath. 'She had not received three doses her of epileptic medication which likely contributed to her experiencing a seizure,' she concluded.  'At the moment she suffered the seizure she was not being supervised in the bath.' The coroner added: 'Her mother had been given water safety advice, but that was some time ago, regarding supervision in the bath. 'A shower would have been a safer option, but it was broken at the time, and she was not consistently being supervised, and she saw Kiara making a move to get out of the bath.' Afterwards her family said: 'Kiara was our whole world. 'She was the most beautiful, amazing, quirky and caring little girl. 'She loved all kinds of things to do with nature and animals. 'She was always singing and dancing and always tried to make others happy, even when having her own issues. 'Our lives as a family have been changed forever, and we feel empty. Every day without Kiara is crushing us emotionally. 'We lost a very important and cherished part of our lives, our beautiful little girl, our light, and every day is a struggle for all of us.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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