Tributes as mother-to-be dies aged 26 after developing mystery rash
A father has paid tribute to his 'beautiful' daughter, who was pregnant with her first child, after she died tragically at the age of 26, as scores of mourners turned out for her funeral.
Sophie Thyer, from Rugeley, was admitted to Royal Stoke University Hospital on November 1 with a mystery rash across her body and unable to keep down food but she died the following day.
Her devastated parents, Stephen Thyer and Loraine Mackay, want an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. A report has been sent to the coroner.
A funeral service for the mother-to-be, who was 28 weeks pregnant with her son Jackson who also died, took place on Friday. Mourners lined part of the route as her coffin was carried in a pink princess carriage pulled by four white horses from Rugeley to Stafford Crematorium.
Songs from her favourite film, Disney's The Lion King, were played at the humanist service. Celebrant Geraldine Jones described the former Hagley Park Academy student Sophie as 'loud, proud and pink.'
Her father, a 57-year-old input administrator with Staffordshire Police, paid tribute to his daughter.
He said: "Sophie always had a big smile and a hug for everyone she met. She had mild learning difficulties and was still very much into Me To You bears. She must have had 1,000 DVDs in her room and they were mostly Disney."
Mr Thyer, of Huntsmans Walk, said his daughter had loved animals and had completed a course in animal care at Rodbaston College, Penkridge. She had recently got a job working one day a week at McDonalds in Cannock.
"Sophie never asked for anything," he said. "She was beautiful, warm and kind-hearted. Even strangers got a cuddle, she was full of love for everyone."
He said the family, including her brother Simon, 29, were devastated by her death.
On the evening before her death, she had attended Cannock Chase Hospital for a pre-arranged appointment due to the spread of the rash and a deterioration in her health.
After doing tests, doctors there advised her to see specialists at the maternity unit at North Staffordshire. Her mother drove her the 18 mile journey to the Stoke Hospital where she was transferred to the critical care unit but medics were unable to save her.
Mr Thyer said: "If there had been an illness, it would have been easier to deal with but this has knocked us into orbit."
An inquest is expected to be held into her death.
