Father who blamed hospital blunder for daughter's death hanged himself next to her grave

Andrew Deegan, 29, was fighting for an inquiry into the death of his "little princess" Holly from suspected septicaemia in February.

But he was overcome by grief and was found hanging from the branch of a tree in the cemetery where she is buried.

Ben Shenton, Health Minister for Jersey, where the family lived, promised there would be an investigation into the double tragedy.

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He said: "Andrew was critical of the fact that Holly's infection wasn't picked up immediately by the GPs and that her death came very suddenly on the children's ward.

"However, indications are that there would have been very little that we could have done even if it was diagnosed straight away.

"I think he was devastated at the loss of his daughter in such unfortunate circumstances but it's utterly tragic that it has ended in this way."

The Reverend Andy Thewlis, a family friend who oversaw both Mr Deegan's marriage and Holly's funeral, said no one had understood how much his grief had affected him.

He added: "Like all who knew Andy, I am saddened and shocked by the news of his death.

"Perhaps we can now begin to understand the depth of despair Andy felt at the loss of Holly, who he described as his little princess."

He said his thoughts were with Mr Deegan's wife Amanda and his two surviving daughters, Chloe, 15, and Codi, one.

He added: "Our hearts and prayers naturally go out to Mandy and the family at this time as we hold on to a faith that invites us to believe that Andy's recent turmoil is now ended and he is at peace with the daughter he so loved."

Holly, a pupil at Samares Primary School in St Clement, Jersey, became ill after a day at the beach on February 17 this year.

She complained of a stomach ache and a rash and her parents took her to two GPs and Jersey General Hospital.

Doctors diagnosed a viral infection and suggested that she be given Calpol - but Holly died four days later from suspected septicaemia, or blood poisoning.

She was buried at the Belle Vue Cemetery in the St Brelade area of the island following her funeral on March 11.

During the service, Mr Deegan said: "Holly, you will never know how much mummy and daddy love you. I miss you so much. You were my entire life.

"You will forever be in my heart. Night, night, princess. I love you."

At the funeral, Mr Deegan also blamed the hospital for not being able to save his daughter.

The authorities on Jersey promised to investigate the circumstances of Holly's death, but her father was campaigning for an independent inquiry.

He said: "My grievance is that there was no lifesaving equipment on the ward to save her.

"They were saying how gravely concerned they were during the day and had many, many opportunities to move her to intensive care."

Mr Deegan's body was found by a woman walking through the cemetery on Tuesday morning.

A Home Office pathologist will fly to Jersey to carry out a postmortem examination.

Mr Shenton added: "There will be a full independent investigation into Holly's death and we shall liaise completely with Mrs Deegan concerning this."

A spokesman for the Jersey coroner said an inquest had not yet been opened.