A NINE-month-old baby died just an hour before she was due to go to an emergency doctor’s appointment, an inquest heard.

Mia Lannon had been suffering from sickness and diarrhoea, which started on the evening of Friday March 8.

She was poorly and was vomiting, but had managed to keep down some milk and water, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard.

Her parents were concerned but thought she was okay and decided to make an urgent appointment for the Monday morning.

Little Mia’s mother, Jennifer Lannon, called the doctor’s surgery at 8am and managed to get through at 8.15am.

She made an appointment for 10.30am.

As she was getting ready to take Mia she realised her baby had stopped breathing and started to turn blue.

An ambulance was called at 9.30am but paramedics were unable to save her and she died at the home in Le Gendre Street, Tonge Moor.

The baby’s parents did not attend the inquest.

They contacted the coroner to say it was too distressing to go through events again.

A statement from Miss Lannon, who also has a three-year-old son, was read to the court.

It said: “I cannot begin to say how this has affected our family.

“We are absolutely devastated and want our baby back, who we loved so much.”

The post-mortem examination revealed she died as a result of dehydration due to rotavirus.

Det Insp Chris Walker said there were no neglect issues.

Deputy coroner Alan Walsh recorded that Mia died from natural causes.

He said: “I am very saddened about the fact Mia’s parents are not here.

“I understand that the death of a young child is obviously most distressing thing in any person’s life.

“It is unimaginable that a child who appeared to be such a healthy and happy child died so suddenly in these circumstances.

“I believe that however distressing it must be it would help them to overcome what has been a tragedy of immense proportions.”