A schoolboy, aged seven, died five hours after he was sent home from the Royal Bolton Hospital

At Bolton Coroner’s Court an inquest into the death of Adam Soeb Bapu was opened.

Area coroner, Prof Alan Walsh heard how Adam was taken to the accident and emergency department at the hospital by his concerned parents, Soeb and Tasifa Bapu, at 9pm on April 2 as he had cough and cold symptoms.

The court was told that, two hours later, the family was sent home with a prescription for a nasal spray.

But during the night at his home in Halliwell Road, Bolton, Adam’s condition worsened.

He was said to be coughing and woke up at 3am, struggling to breathe and died.

An ambulance was called but paramedics declared him dead at 4am.

Police coroner’s officer Julie Ann Hyde told the court that a post-mortem took place at Manchester Children’s Hospital three days later and a pathologist concluded that death was due to Laryngotracheobronchitis, otherwise known as Croup, a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Prof Walsh, stated that he recognises Adam’s family have concerns about the circumstances of his death The inquest was adjourned until September 12 when a full hearing will take place.

Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Adam's loved ones following their devastating loss.

"We will be fully supporting the inquest."