Probe into Girl’s Death Welcomed ; Victim Died After Routine Operation

The mother of a girl who died after a routine operation at Altnagelvin Hospital today welcomed a police probe into her death, hailing it as her only chance to get to the truth.But Marie Ferguson queried why the PSNI had backtracked on a previous decision not to investigate the death of nine-year-old Raychel, who died after receiving fluids following a standard appendix operation in June 2001.Raychel died from hyponatraemia, a shortage of sodium in the body.Police will also examine the case of Adam Strain (4), who died in similar circumstances at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children ten years ago.A PSNI investigation is already underway into the death of 17-month-old Lucy Crawford, who died after being given fluids at the Erne Hospital Enniskillen in 2000.The development will force a delay in an independent inquiry into hyponatraemia-related deaths in Northern Ireland’s hospitals planned for later this year.Ms Ferguson said she hoped the police inquiry would find people accountable for her daughter’s untimely death.”I had asked for an investigation before but was told no,” she said. “I’d like to know why the change of heart now. I’d never understood why one was investigated and not the other two.”But I’m happier now than I have been because it shows that they are taking it really seriously.”Altnagelvin Trust have always refused to give me certain documents about Raychel and I was going to have to go to court to get them. Now they will have to hand them over.”I spoke to Adam’s mother Debbie last night and she is also pleased with the news. We’ve been to hell and back with this. It may be my only chance to get to the truth.”