It is a tragic story that we have heard time and time again, whereby children have lost their lives or been seriously injured in heartbreaking circumstances, after swallowing batteries they innocently picked up.

 

Now, this week, an inquest in Australia has heard the particularly devastating details of the death of Summer Steer, a four-year-old girl who lost her life in 2103 after ingesting a lithium battery.

 

It emerged that little Summer was taken to hospital three times after she started vomiting blood, but was sent home each time, with doctors assuring mum Andrea Shoesmith that her daughter would be fine.

 

Summer was initially taken to Noosa Hospital after she began experiencing a sore stomach, fever and black bowel movements. The inquest heard how the hospital visit lasted just 15 minutes, with the doctor discharging the child.

 

Summer got as far as the hospital entrance when she vomited blood, and upon her return she was placed under observation for four hours by the same doctor. Andrea was again advised that it was safe to take Summer home.

 

 

The four-year-old slept for an hour at home, before vomiting blood again and collapsing. When Andrea brought Summer back to Noosa Hospital, she was then transferred to Brisbane Hospital, where she suffered a heart attack and died.

 

The inquest, which opened today, will run until Thursday and examine Summer's medical care.

 

While it is estimated that around 260 children swallow lithium batteries each year in Australia, Summer was the first child to die from the accident.

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