From the moment Amber left the hospital, her parents sensed something was wrong.
Her bright, cheerful smile that morning had faded, replaced by a pallor and listlessness they could not ignore. Calls to the hospital were met with scripted reassurances that only deepened their unease. Little did they know, the danger lurking behind the operating theatre doors would soon reveal itself in the most devastating way.
A five-year-old girl from Cornwall tragically died just four days after undergoing a routine tonsillectomy. Amber, from St Just in Roseland, had her surgery at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on April 5, 2023, to treat sleep apnoea.
Her parents had anticipated an overnight stay due to a rare medical condition, but she was discharged only hours after the procedure.
In the early hours of April 6, Amber began vomiting and was readmitted that evening. She was pronounced dead at 4:37 a.m. on April 9, after doctors discovered a massive hemorrhage, apparently caused by a surgical-site infection that triggered fatal bleeding. An inquest into her death began on November 27, 2025, at Cornwall Coroner’s Court.
What her parents shared at the inquest
A portrait of Amber read on behalf of her parents described her as “the happiest little girl,” brave in the face of medical treatment. “Amber was and always will be our magical little princess,” they said. “She filled our home with her singing, dancing, laughter, and golden heart.”
Her mother recounted repeatedly informing hospital staff that Amber needed to remain in the hospital post-surgery due to cyclical vomiting syndrome, a condition causing prolonged, violent vomiting. Despite this, the operation—which began around noon on April 5—was followed by discharge around 9 p.m., much to the family’s surprise.
Shortly after returning home, the vomiting resumed. The family contacted the hospital and was told to monitor her condition and call back if symptoms persisted.
By the next day, Amber had endured roughly 20 vomiting episodes. She was returned to the hospital at 10 p.m., where she received intravenous medication to control the vomiting and, by 2 a.m. on April 7, was diagnosed with a chest infection.
Later that day, her IV line failed, leaving her unable to take oral medications. Intravenous treatment was not resumed until 2:45 p.m. on April 8, leaving roughly 14 hours without fluids, pain relief, antibiotics, or anti-nausea medication. Around 3 a.m., she awoke and suffered a massive hemorrhage. Doctors were unable to save her.
Medical findings
Dr. Andrew Bamber, consultant in pediatric and perinatal pathology, concluded that Amber died from a massive hemorrhage with aspiration of blood, compounded by a surgical-site infection and enlarged tonsils. The damage to a blood vessel in her throat was likely a consequence of post-surgical infection rather than the surgery itself.
Surgeon Kel Anyanwu noted that the 38-minute procedure had minimal blood loss and showed no signs of infection at the time. He described Amber’s death as “unique,” explaining that the consent form did not list death as a risk.
Regarding her same-day discharge, he stated: “The assumption was that if she appeared well, she would probably be fine. When we assessed her later, we concluded she could safely go home.”
The inquest continues, examining whether hospital post-operative procedures were properly followed and whether additional measures could have prevented this tragedy.
Conclusion
Amber’s death has left her family and community devastated, raising urgent questions about post-operative care for vulnerable children.
The inquest serves not only as a search for answers but as a stark reminder that even routine procedures can have rare, catastrophic complications.
Authorities and medical professionals now face the difficult task of determining whether protocols were followed and what safeguards could prevent another family from experiencing such heartbreak.