Police probe girl dying after eating dessert on holiday as devastated parents can 'barely speak'

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Police are probing the death of a British teenager with a peanut allergy who died after eating baklava on a family vacation to Rome.

The 14-year-old, named in Italian media as Skyler, was enjoying the first day of her trip to the Italian city with her parents and two siblings when she became unwell after dining at a takeout restaurant last Thursday. In a heartbreaking twist, a source claimed the family selected the restaurant just because it was close to their bed and breakfast, reports the Mirror.

Just minutes later, paramedics were summoned after the girl fell unconscious while returning to the family's accommodation in Rome's Gianicolense area. She was transported to San Camillo Hospital just minutes away, but was pronounced dead upon arrival after reportedly suffering an anaphylactic shock en route.

A source told the Mirror: "It's an incredible tragedy. It was the first night of their holiday and they only chose to get some food at the restaurant as it was close to where they were staying. Her parents are devastated and can still barely speak. They can't believe what has happened."

It is reported that the girl's father was later hospitalised due to heart difficulties and had to spend two nights on a ward at the same hospital.

Investigators have allegedly launched a manslaughter probe and interviewed the restaurant proprietors. And ASL Roma 3, which is in charge of health services in that part of the city, has started hygiene and health checks, including checking to see if allergy lists are present at the pizza business.

They are believed to be investigating if traces of peanuts, to which the girl is claimed to be highly-allergic to, were present in the baklava.

It is understood investigators are also probing whether traces could have entered a pizza she ate, or if her death is not linked to her peanut allergy. It is also unknown whether the restaurant's staff had been made aware of the girl's allergy or whether the dessert, said to have been pre-packaged, was marked with any warning about peanuts. Also, it's unclear whether she had access to an EpiPen - a device often used to treat anaphylaxis.

A source said: "Given the symptoms she suffered and the timeline it is highly likely her death is linked to her peanut allergy, but it is too early to say anything for sure."

The Mirror understands the family arrived back at their home in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on Monday and are now planning to return to Rome to speak to the Italian authorities.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British child who has died in Italy and are in contact with local authorities”

Anaphylaxis, a serious over-reaction of the immune system in response to an allergen, causes the throat and mouth to swell up, restricting the ability to breathe. It causes around ten deaths a year in the UK.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died in July 2016 as a result of a severe allergic reaction to a baguette from Pret A Manger, which had not listed its full ingredients.

Hannah Jacobs, 13, died last year after taking a sip of a hot chocolate from Costa Coffee that had been produced with cow's milk instead of the soya milk her mother had ordered.

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