A ‘PASSIONATE and empathetic’ Basingstoke mother died following an anaphylactic shock, an inquest has heard.

Laura Saunders, from Basingstoke, died in Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital on February 11, 2020 after suffering from an anaphylactic shock.

The 40-year-old Cranbourne teacher had been suffering with flu like symptoms and a chest infection in the weeks leading up to her death, Winchester Coroner's Court was told on Wednesday (August 11).

Her husband Jason Saunders described his wife as “the core of the family” as well as a “great mum, wife and teacher”.

The court was told how Mrs Saunders began to struggle to breath on January 26 after two courses of antibiotics failed to clear her chest infection.

After dialling 111 she was taken to Basingstoke hospital where she was heavily sedated and placed on a ventilator and doctors were made aware that she suffered from a penicillin allergy.

By February 9, doctors began to fear Mrs Saunders had developed meningitis and after a discussion with her family, antibiotics were administered.

The family were informed that the medication given to Laura carried a one to two per cent risk of allergic reaction due to Mrs Saunders' penicillin allergy.

Laura suffered two anaphylactic shocks shortly after the antibiotics were administer but doctors managed to stabilise her condition.

A separate antibiotic was then administered on February 10, and sadly in the early hours on February 11, Laura suffered a third anaphylactic shock and died.

The post mortem revealed that Laura did not have meningitis.

When describing his wife, Mr Saunders said: “She was passionate, empathetic and strong. The strongest woman I ever met. She never judged. She was the best mother to Heather and Jude and was always there for all of us. She was the core of the family. Words could never do her justice.”

Area coroner Jason Pegg told the court that the medical cause of death was a combination of bronchopneumonia, a pulmonary embolism and an anaphylactic shock.

Adding: “It seems to me in regard to the evidence that there was an anaphylactic reaction. What caused it was cannot be determined.

“So what I’m going to record is that Laura died on February 11 of last year at Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital having developed bronchopneumonia, a pulmonary embolism and suffered a reaction to an unknown agent.”

Towards the end of the inquest, family friend Mrs Taylor Jones questioned whether Covid-19 could have caused Laura to develop bronchopneumonia.

Coroner Pegg replied: “It could have been covid, but she wasn’t tested for that. Covid was very much in its infancy. It could have been, possibly, but it is speculation.”

A tribute posted on a fund-raising page for Laura’s funeral back in 2020 reads: “Laura was a beautiful soul. She was the proudest mother, the most loving wife, the most loyal friend and the most inspirational teacher. She truly touched the lives of those around her and rejoiced in the successes and happiness of others. Her loss is devastating for those who loved her, and for those she taught, supported and inspired it is also a time of great sadness. Laura leaves behind her two wonderful children Heather and Jude, and her loving Husband Jason.”