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SOULMATES ... Kayleigh Burke and fiance Shane Hardie.
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Mum-to-be and baby in double tragedy
by Alice McKeegan5/ 8/2008
A TEENAGE mum-to-be has died – along with her unborn baby – just weeks before she was due to give birth.
Kayleigh Burke, aged 17, of Ansdell Road, Turf Hill, was rushed to Rochdale Infirmary on Thursday after suffering crippling pains.
Doctors in the accident and emergency department battled to save her for almost five hours, but her heart failed. Loving tributes have been paid to the former Lowerplace Primary School and Springhill High School pupil, who was was seven months pregnant.
She had cared for her bed-ridden mum, Susan Burke, aged 43, for the past three years. She led the tributes and described her as ‘a wonderful daughter with everything to live for’.
Kayleigh was devoted to her 17-year-old fiance Shane Hardie and the couple couldn’t wait for the birth of their son, who they had planned to name Mason.
Susan said: "She was such a lovely girl and much more than a daughter to me. Everyone loved her and she was really looking forward to becoming a mum. All she ever wanted was to become a mum and she was so excited about her future. She was beautiful and will never be forgotten. She and Shane were soulmates. They had been together for a year and it was unbelievable how close they were. We will miss her so much."
The day before Kayleigh died, she went to the Infirmary thinking she was in labour. Her family say doctors diagnosed a urine infection and sent her home with antibiotics. Hours later, her condition worsened and she was rushed back to the Infirmary where staff discovered the baby had died.
Mrs Burke told the Observer that the family did not want to blame the doctors, adding she was grateful to the medical team who battled in vain to save her.
She said: "The doctors were brilliant. They couldn’t have done anything else for her. It’s an absolute tragedy and we are all devastated."
Kayleigh’s sister, Nicola Burke, aged 19, said that she would have been a great mum as she loved looking after her 17-month old son, Deekan.
She said: "She was a brilliant aunty and was more like a mum to Deekan. She loved him so much and he will miss her."
A spokesman for the Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust which runs Rochdale Infirmary, said: "Our condolences go to Kayleigh’s family, with whom we have already spoken. Both A and E and maternity staff were deeply distressed and we have offered them additional help and support. The coroner has been notified and we are unable to comment further at this stage."
Funeral details will be announced later by Clifford Oldham Funeral Directors on 646186.
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10/08/2008 at 00:13
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