Masie Almond, 14, was a popular schoolgirl who was active and worked two part time jobs – following her death, her school was closed for the day and 1,000 pupils attended her funeral
A mum has shared the heartbreaking moment she realised something was wrong with her 14-year-old daughter before they took her to hospital where the family were given devastating news.
Masie Almond was a model student, a gym regular and worked two part time jobs on top of attending school full time – then she fell ill. On the evening of September 15, 2024, her parents became aware that something was wrong.
Maisie had arrived home and complained of feeling sick. “I just assumed she had a run of the mill bug,” mum Kathryn said.
Overnight, Maisie complained of being in pain and the following day, her dad Stuart stayed at home to look after her. Both her parents told Stockport Coroner’s Court on February 24 that it was unusual for her to miss a day at Dunkinfield’s All Saints Catholic College.
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But soon they realised Maisie’s face started to change colour. Kathryn, of Tameside, Greater Manchester, said: “It was her eyes we noticed first. They were turning an indescribable shade of yellow. That’s when we took her to the Accident and Emergency unit in Tameside.”
Doctors found her stomach was also yellow, which “shocked” her parents. Medics carried out scans and tests as part of a further investigation.
Kathryn told the court: “She was tired, but brave. She never cried once, even though she was having blood tests and scans, but she wasn’t the lively girl we were used to. So we knew she was unwell.”
Maisie was in and out of Tameside hospital as the cause of her illness was investigated, reports The Manchester Evening News. Dad Stuart told the court it felt like “no one really knew what was going on”.
Doctors suspected hepatitis and explored other potential viruses and illnesses. When they returned to the ward following home leave, Maisie had become more unwell, the court heard.
Kathryn added: “She had this stare, she was just staring at me as if to say ‘can someone just please help me?’.” Maisie was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary via ambulance to allow for liver specialists to examine her.
Kathryn said she felt as if they were in the right place at the time and that her daughter appeared “brighter.” As Stuart made his way to Leeds from Stalybridge, doctors told Masie and Kathryn she was in acute liver failure and needed a transplant.
By the time a donor was secured, Maisie had deteriorated. The family was told even if she had surgery, there would be less than a one per cent chance she would survive.
When she was taken to theatre, doctors found her body was not responding to treatment and that the transplant was no longer viable. Stuart said: “Maisie was brought back to us, we spent the last couple of hours with her.” Support was withdrawn and Maisie died in the early hours.
Consultant Doctor David Levy, who was on duty at Tameside Hospital while Maisie was being investigated, gave evidence at the inquest.
“I remember Maisie,” Dr Levy said directly to Maisie’s parents Kathryn and Stuart, who appeared in court via video link. “And I remember the family. I did go and speak to them, but it wasn’t enough and it wasn’t the information they needed, and I apologise to them.”
Consultant in Paediatric ICU at LGI, Dr Ramesh Kumar, said: “We did everything we could. We are all devastated by the outcome.” Kathryn, visibly emotional, added: “He did absolutely everything and more. Thank you so much.”
After Maisie was diagnosed with acute liver failure – and before a donor liver had been found – she stopped being able to breathe by herself so was taken to ICU and was intubated. She died on October 2 that year.
