Police investigate death of British six-month-old baby who choked ‘on food or similar’ at five-star Turkish hotel during family holiday
- Elizabeth Coffey was taken to hospital on Saturday following breathing troubles
- The six-month-old was unable to be saved despite the efforts of medical staff
Police are investigating the death of a six-month-old British baby girl after she reportedly choked to death at a five-star Turkish holiday resort.
Elizabeth Coffey was rushed to hospital after suffering breathing difficulties when ‘food or something similar’ got lodged in her throat, the hospital in Serik said in a statement.
Parents Michael and Elizabeth Coffey had been on holiday with their daughter and around 30 other members of their family at the Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel in Antalya, Turkey.
The tragic incident started to unfold on Saturday morning, May 13, at the resort located in the town of Serik in the southern Antalya Province.
The family raised the alarm and frantically sought help when it was clear the six-month-old was having severe breathing complications.
Elizabeth Coffey was rushed to hospital after suffering breathing difficulties when ‘food or something similar’ getting lodged in her throat, the hospital said
A medical team to help the infant girl was said to have been swiftly dispatched to the hotel.
Taking her to Serik’s Aspendos Anatolia private hospital, Elizabeth was said to be unresponsive. Despite all efforts form medical staff, doctors were unable to save her life.
It is unclear if the child was suffering from any illnesses prior to her death.
A hospital official told The Sun: ‘Hotel staff called paramedics when the baby was having trouble breathing.
‘She was brought to the hospital by the first responders. Despite the doctors’ efforts, she couldn’t be saved.
‘The doctor who treated her said food or something similar had got lodged in the baby’s throat and she couldn’t breathe.’
Family and friends have since taken to social media to share their devastation and tributes. Others shared images of the little girl dressed in a blue frilly dress and bow.
Kitty Margaret wrote on Facebook: ‘Can’t believe this rest in peace baby girl. Please god comfort her mummy and daddy. Feel so heartbroken for them.’
Parents Michael and Elizabeth Coffey had been on holiday with their daughter and around 30 other members of their family at the Land of Legends Kingdom Hotel in Antalya, Turkey
A map shows Serik, a region of Antalya in the south of Turkey, where the child was reported to have died
Another wrote: ‘RIP little princess Elizabeth. Definitely too good for this evil world most harmless child in [the world]. Please keep Uncle Jimmy’s Michael and Elizabeth and family in prayers.’
Others commented: ‘Rest in peace angel’ and: ‘This is so sad rip little angel.’
The six-month-old’s body was sent to Antalya Forensic Medicine Institute to determine the exact cause of death.
Police have confirmed the investigation is currently ongoing.
