'Funny and kind-hearted' teenage girl died in hospital after trying to take her own life
'Funny and kind-hearted' teenage girl died in hospital after trying to take her own life
Sky Lewis had a history of mental health problems and self-harming, an inquest has heard
Sky Lewis, who died aged 16
(Image: Michaela Fry )
A 'funny and kind-hearted' teenage girl who was moved from her family home to a care home took her own life, an inquest has heard.
Sky Louise Lewis, who was born in Wolverhampton, moved to Newport and later Cardiff as a young girl with her mother. She attended Eastern High School in Cardiff and was studying for her GCSEs in 2019.
During that period she moved to live in a care home in the Haverfordwest area of Pembrokeshire, having struggled with her mental health.
A full inquest into her death, which got underway at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Tuesday, June 3, heard that Sky had a history of self-harming. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
The senior coroner for Pembrokeshire, Gareth Lewis, was told that on one occasion Sky drank alcohol before going to school in Cardiff, with her mother only realising when the school contacted her to say her daughter had arrived drunk.
Sky Lewis has left a 'space that cannot be filled', according to her mother
(Image: Michaela Fry )
Article continues below
On July 28, 2019, Sky tried to take her own life in the care home she had moved to. She was found and taken to hospital but her mother said medics told her on July 30 that her daughter was 'brain dead'. Sky passed away in hospital a day later, on July 31, 2019, aged 16.
The inquest, which is expected to last up to three weeks, will hear evidence from different people representing different organisations including Hywel Dda University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff Council, and Sky's family.
Why we cover inquests – and why it's so important that we do
As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others' lives.
The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice.
It's a journalist's duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person's death.
But, most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening.
Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account.
Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide.
Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest. Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.
Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a person's family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others.
Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost.
On Tuesday, social worker Christopher Evans told the hearing that Sky was a 'high-risk' individual who had been living in a 'high-anxiety household' and a 'difficult home environment' before she moved to the care home.
The inquest heard that Sky took medication for depression and to help her sleep, and told her mother that at one point she 'didn't want to be here anymore' and that she would keep trying to kill herself until she was successful.
In a statement, Sky's mother Michaela Fry said her daughter was 'funny and kind-hearted'. She said: 'She loved doing silly things to make people laugh. She had a big, infectious laugh, the kind that filled the room and made everybody feel better.
'Life without Sky seems empty and full of 'I wonders'. I love Sky so much and miss her tremendously. There is a space here now that cannot be filled. I will always belong to her.'
The inquest continues.
Following Sky's death, it was revealed that her organs were donated to help others. You can read more about that here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Public Health Wales issues 'stay indoors' heatwave advice as amber alert issued in England
Public Health Wales issues 'stay indoors' heatwave advice as amber alert issued in England The heatwave is forecast to last as temperatures are set to hits highs of 30°C in parts of Wales People are urged to stay indoors or keep in the shade as much as they can during the heatwave (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) People have been warned to stay indoors in Wales in the hottest part of the day with a heatwave forecast for the next few days. A heatwave is expected to sweep Wales throughout this week heading to the weekend with highs of 30°C in many parts of the country. Across the border the UK Health Security Agency alongside the Met Office has set an amber alert for England, cautioning that a 'rise in deaths is likely' due to the sweltering temperatures. The warning concerning extreme heat was made effective from 12pm today, Thursday, and is expected to continue until 9am on Monday June 23. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The UK is bracing itself for soaring temperatures with forecasts predicting highs of 31°C on Thursday and Friday, which could then escalate to 33°C by Saturday, remaining in the low 30s come Sunday, according to the Met Office. Check the latest reports for the hottest parts of Wales and this weekend's weather here. The alerts, indicating possible increased demand on healthcare providers among vulnerable groups, apply across all of England. An official heatwave is confirmed when specific regions experience designated temperatures—ranging from 25°C to 28°C depending on location—for three successive days. 29°C. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°C in many areas. Article continues below 'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. 'The forecasted high temperatures may also lead to an increasing demand for remote health care services and an impact on the ability of services delivered due to heat effects on the work force.'' Numerous charities are stepping up with guidance as the temperature rises. Among them, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) urges individuals, particularly those with heart conditions, to adopt precautionary measures to sidestep potential health dangers during periods of intense heat. Senior cardiac nurse at the BHF, Ruth Goss, warned: "You can be at greater risk from the heat if you have a heart condition, as high temperatures can put extra strain on your heart. "Elderly people and very young children have more difficulty regulating their temperature and so can be more at risk from extreme temperatures. In hot weather, check on your friends and relatives regularly to make sure they are cool and comfortable. "The most important way you can protect your heart in the heat is to stay cool and keep hydrated." Age UK has called for people to check on older family members, friends, and neighbours to ensure they're coping with the sweltering conditions. Caroline Abrahams, the charity's director, highlighted the increased dangers during a heatwave: "The heat is expected to build during the week, becoming hottest at the weekend and as temperatures rise, those with long-term health conditions impacting their heart, lungs or kidneys can be at extra risk." She went on to explain that age makes it more difficult to adjust to extreme heat. "Generally, our bodies find it harder to adapt to more extreme temperatures as we age. "Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can all worsen certain conditions, increasing strain on the body, and some medications make us more susceptible to hot weather." Public Health Wales is also warning people to take care in the heat. It is advising people to stay hydrated by drinking water regularly, apply sunscreen with SPF 30+ and staying in the shade or indoors between 11am and 3pm. People should also and wear loose, light clothing and keep their homes cool by closing curtains or blinds on windows that get direct sun. ️People are also being asked to check neighbours, older people, babies, and anyone living alone. Met Office forecast for Wales Forecasters say it will be dry and hot for many, thunderstorms possible on Saturday. Thursday evening and Tonight: Very warm and sunny this evening but turning increasingly hazy and cloudier later. Mainly dry overnight but a few showers are possible in the west, with flashes of lightning possible. Staying warm with gusty easterly winds developing in the southwest. Minimum temperature 17°C. Friday Somewhat cloudier than Thursday with isolated showers at first. Otherwise mainly dry with sunny periods developing. Feeling hot in the sunshine though breezier than on Thursday. Very high pollen levels. Maximum temperature 30°C. Saturday and Sunday Showers possible more widely on Saturday, these thundery in places, though still sunny periods for many. Fresher on Sunday and Monday with isolated showers and warm sunny spells. Often breezy. According to Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley, heat will be the "dominant story" around the UK as a whole, with temperatures reaching heatwave levels in certain parts of the UK. He stated: "Saturday is expected to be the peak of this hot spell, with temperatures fairly widely reaching into the low 30 Celsius across parts of England, with high 20s likely as far north as northern and eastern Scotland. It will also be very warm at night over the weekend, with the potential for a few places to experience a 'tropical night', when temperatures do not drop below 20C." Some areas in northern and western regions may experience thundery showers on Friday and throughout the weekend. However, towards the end of the weekend and the start of the following week, temperatures are expected to drop due to the arrival of fresher conditions, which might also bring more unsettled weather, as mentioned by the forecaster. Article continues below
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
'Disappointing' figures show longest hospital waiting times rise again in Wales
'Disappointing' figures show longest hospital waiting times rise again in Wales Last month the Welsh Government said it had met an ambitious target, but the number has risen again Jeremy Miles said the latest health figures for Wales were 'disappointing' Wales' health minister has admitted it is "disappointing" that the number of longest NHS waits has gone up, a month after the Welsh Government said it was happy to have met a target set by the First Minister. Last year, Eluned Morgan said that by the spring she wanted the number of waits to be "around" 8,000. The corresponding figures came out in May, and showed the number of people waiting for more than two years from referral to treatment had been narrowly missed. When the First Minister made her comments the figure was around 24,000. In January it was 21,087 while in February it was 15,505, before it dropped to 8,389 - the lowest level since April, 2021. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . This month, however, it has risen again, to 9,625, something health minister Jeremy Miles has said is "disappointing". The vast majority (6,106) are in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area. Swansea Bay and Powys health boards have no pathways waiting longer than two years, while Hywel Dda and Aneurin Bevan university health boards each have fewer than 300 patient pathways waiting more than two years. This release of data includes the Easter holiday period. Article continues below The latest data for the longest waits shows: Betsi Cadwaladar: 6,106 Powys: 0 Hywel Dda: 208 Swansea Bay: 0 Cwm Taf: 1,168 Cardiff and Vale: 1,863 Aneurin Bevan: 280 Mr Miles said: "It is disappointing to see the increase in long waits in April after all the progress health boards have made over the last few months. However, this is an annual trend seen in April in Wales and also the other UK nations". Asked about his message to people in north Wales, where waits are longer, Mr Miles said there was a higher starting figure in the Betsi health board area, but that there had been "significant" reductions. Data shows the Betsi Cadwaladar figure in October, 2024, was 10,177, which fell to a low of 5,747 in March, then went back up to 6,106 this month. "My message to those patients is I absolutely agree that you should not have to be waiting so long for your treatment. There are a particular set of measures in place which the government has put in place to set clear expectations for the health board in north Wales, but also a key range of support for Betsi to be able to make faster progress," the health minister said. Mr Miles said Easter often caused an increase in the data due to staff being on leave and people's availability for surgery and treatments. "One of the things we want to see is a continuation and services being delivered differently so there's a more consistent pattern throughout the year right across Wales," he said. "What I want to see is those two years coming down, month on month. What we've seen in recent years, is over the Easter period is that can be a challenge and we're reporting on these figures today. We've seen this in other parts of the UK as well, it's not a challenge which is unique to Wales. "What I want to see is that we are heading steadily towards that figure where nobody's waiting more than two years for treatment. I'm confident that we've got plans that will get us there by the end of the Senedd term," he said. It came as the Welsh Government announced £120m, which it said was "new" money, to reduce the longest waits for planned treatment. The money, Mr Miles said, would: Reduce the overall size of the waiting list by 200,000 Eliminate all two-year waits Restore the diagnostic wait times to be reduced to under eight weeks by March, 2026 He said: "This new funding will mean more and faster appointments, tests and treatments over the next 12 months. We're asking people to do all they can to support the NHS by keeping their appointment and making sure they are fit and ready for treatment." Article continues below Urgent and emergency care services continue to see large numbers of people – this was the busiest May on record for the Welsh Ambulance Service, with more red, immediately life-threatening 999 calls. In emergency departments the average time to admission, transfer or discharge was two hours and 46 minutes across all emergency care facilities.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Four key theories emerge as the most likely causes of the Air India crash
Four key theories emerge as the most likely causes of the Air India crash As investigators sort through the wreckage, the details of the incident will unfold Many questions will need to be answered regarding the Air India flight (Image: AP ) Many questions have been left unanswered after Air India Flight 171 that was airborne for less than 40 seconds plummeted into a residential area in India. As investigators dig through the wreckage and decode the cockpit voice and flight data recorder of the aircraft, theories will be confirmed or denied as questions are answered. Within the following 30 days of the disaster, a preliminary investigation report should be released and a final report hopefully completed within a year. The news of the crash shocked the world as well as leaving many wondering what caused it. Four key theories have emerged as investigations take place at the site in Ahmedabad. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Did both engines fail due to bird strikes or fuel contamination? Were the flaps improperly extended, reducing lift on a heavily loaded jet in extreme heat? Was there a maintenance error during engine servicing? Or did an inadvertent crew action cut off fuel to both engines? Investigators will dig through the wreckage to look for answers (Image: AP ) Investigators will be looking into all of these possibilities and more. Article continues below The investigation into an aircraft crash rely on matching physical evidence from the wreckage with recorded aircraft performance data to piece together what happened. The Boeing 787's flight management control system that manages navigation, performance and guidance will be assessed to determine whether this was a systemic issue that could affect the fleet of these aircrafts all over the world or if it was an isolated fault. On Tuesday, June 17 India's civil aviation ministry claimed that a recent inspection of Air India's Boeing 787 fleet - 24 "did not reveal any major safety concern," and that the planes and maintenance systems met existing standards. Investigators will also examine fuel filters, lines, valves and residual fuel to check for contamination amongst the wreckage. Maintenance and fault history records from the airline and Boeing's ACARS which transmits data via radio or satellite to both Boeing and Air India will be examined. They will alos go back and look at all of the flights operated by the aircraft and the crew over the past few months and the technical log of pilot-reported faults and corrective actions taken before release of aircraft to service. Article continues below The pilots aboard the Boeing will also be examined including their licences, training records, simulator performance and instructor remarks, including how pilots handled scenarios such as engine failures in advanced flight simulators. The service history of all components of the aircraft that were removed and replaced will be reviewed, and reported defects for any recurring issues or signs of problems that could have interfered with this flight.
