Eight-year-old girl dies after swallowing a pin

Gabriella Rose Clemmitt died on Sunday after paramedics tried for nearly an hour to save her life.

She was watching a film in the bedroom of her home in Holtby Walk, Park End, Middlesbrough, at about 11pm when she swallowed a pin from her cork notice board.

Parents Leeann Clemmitt, 26, and Jason Jeffrey, 32, called an ambulance when Gabriella rushed downstairs, gasping for air.

They took her outside and shouted for help as they tried to clear her airway. She was taken to the town's James Cook University Hospital, but despite a 40-minute resuscitation attempt, doctors pronounced Gabriella dead at 12.10am.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield yesterday opened an inquest into the youngster's death.

Her grandmother, Susan Jeffrey, gave evidence of identification at the brief hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court, before Mr Sheffield adjourned for further investigations.

Her mother fought back tears as she described her daughter as a "happy, cheerful" girl who doted on her three-year-old sister, Melissa.

"Gabby was always very helpful and would do anything for anyone. She was always laughing and happy," said Ms Clemmitt.

"She taught her little sister Melissa everything. She used to boss her around and was like another mam to her. She was like a little old woman sometimes."

The Park End Primary School pupil was also a popular figure in the neighbourhood and at school.

Her mother said: "When she came downstairs we knew something was wrong.

"We immediately phoned for an ambulance, then took her out the front and got help from neighbours. But Gabriella collapsed on the floor.

"When the doctors told me she was dead, I felt like it wasn't happening. I wanted them to bring her back. I felt numb, I felt like it was something someone else was going through."

Gabriella's grandfather, Leonard Jeffrey, said: "To see her struggling to breathe seemed to last a lifetime. We miss her so much."

Her father said: "She will never be forgotten."