A MOTHER who plunged over a hotel balcony in the Caribbean never came to terms with the sudden death of her three-year-old daughter from meningitis.

Sharon Leyland suffered multiple injuries after falling 100 feet from the fourth floor of a hotel complex in the Dominican Republic.

But her elder sister, Wendy Walsh, said 34-year-old Mrs Leyland had started to die inside when her daughter Morgan developed meningococcal meningitis more than 18 months ago.

Mrs Walsh, speaking yesterday after a coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death, said: "Although my sister died on that holiday, in her heart she died when Morgan was taken away from her with meningitis.

"Sharon had to live on for the sake of her second daughter, Morgan Louise, whom she doted on, but in her heart it was a different story."

Mr and Mrs Leyland, of Crawford Avenue, Darcy Lever, had gone to the Dominican Republic with 15-month-old Morgan Louise and a group of 17 friends.

The couple were hoping that a sunshine break would help them come to terms with their grief. Mrs Leyland was taking mild anti-depressant tablets but her condition was gradually improving.

When they arrived at the Hotel Bavaro Caribe, the inquest heard that the Leylands hung sheets over the balcony and propped up suitcases in front of the railings after concerns about their low height and large gaps in between the bars.

On May 6, Mrs Leyland left their hotel room after a minor disagreement with her husband.

A group of Americans said that Mrs Leyland ran past them in the walkway and they noticed that she was crying.

A German woman, who was staying at the hotel, was questioned by the authorities and declared that Mrs Leyland had committed suicide.

But this was dismissed by the Bolton Coroner, Jennifer Leeming, who called that conclusion "incorrect".

Mrs Leeming said: "The floor was not secure and I was concerned about the height of the rail. Because of her sensitivity at the time, she became upset and was crying. With the floor possibly being wet, it seems likely that she would skid and fall over the railing. She's tumbled over, caught on to the railing and then lost her grip and fell."

Mrs Leyland was taken to hospital but died from multiple injuries.

It was the second tragedy for the family. Daughter Morgan died in Novermber 2002, 10 hours after a GP at Landmark House medical centre in Chorley New Road sent her home saying she needed to rest to recover from a minor bug.

Mrs Walsh said: "Sharon trusted the doctor and took her daughter home who was dying. Sharon has had to live with the fact that Morgan didn't get an opportunity to live. This tragedy of Sharon not being with us is another rollercoaster ride that first started when Morgan was wrongly diagnosed."

The family are now working with meningitis organisations to help prevent further tragedies from the disease.

Mr Leyland was released without charge from prison in the Dominican Republic after being arrested following his wife's death.

After the inquest, he said: "We all knew that the verdict was going to be that it was an accident. This hopefully will draw a line under everything that has happened."