Five-year-old Amber Milnes, from St Just in Roseland, Cornwall, was a bright, joyful child whose presence could light up any room.
Her parents, Sereta and Lewis Milnes, described her as their “magical little princess,” a girl whose laughter, curiosity, and energy were infectious.
Amber Milnes was a joyful, imaginative little girl who loved music, dancing, and her dolls. Friends and family often remarked on her sweet, caring nature and wisdom beyond her years. But her childhood was marked by serious medical challenges. She suffered from obstructive sleep apnoea, which disrupted her breathing at night, and a rare condition called Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS), causing severe vomiting episodes since age two.
In April 2023, doctors at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust recommended a routine adenotonsillectomy to relieve her sleep apnoea. Despite her parents’ concerns about CVS and requests for overnight observation, Amber was discharged the same evening. The following day, she experienced repeated vomiting, was readmitted, but suffered a failed IV line, leaving her without fluids or medications for 14 hours.
In the early hours of 9 April, Amber died from a catastrophic post-operative hemorrhage caused by infection. The inquest confirmed the surgery was uneventful, and her death was a very rare complication. Her parents now urge other caregivers to trust their instincts, advocate for their children, and ensure clear communication with medical teams to prevent similar tragedies.
