THE daughter of a former England cricket star died in hospital with her heartbroken dad unable to travel home to be with her.

Bethan Amy James passed away aged 21 on February 9, 2020 – just 48 hours after being taken to hospital.

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Former Glamorgan cricketer Steve James’ daughter is believed to have contracted sepsis.

Now an inquest will probe her care and treatment under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Mr James, who played twice for England but now works for The Times, told friends he was “devastated” at her sudden loss while he was away covering the Six Nations.

He was at the Wales versus Ireland match in Dublin and due to weather delays was unable to fly home to see her before she died.

In a heartfelt tribute at the time, Mr James and his wife Jane wrote on Twitter: “We have the most indescribably devastating news that our beautiful daughter Bethan suddenly passed away on Saturday evening.

“Our hearts are broken. She was the most wonderfully caring and kind daughter and sister to Rhys.”

A pre-inquest review hearing in Pontypridd, south Wales, yesterday was told the medical cause of her death is likely sepsis.

Coroner Patricia Morgan said the full inquest will look into how Bethan came about her death.

It will include her medical history as well as her care treatment under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in the two weeks leading up to her death.

No date was set for the full hearing to take place.

Bethan lived in Cardiff while she studied at university and had been living with Crohn’s disease.

She had been unwell, but her loved ones were unaware she could have contracted sepsis.

Bethan had been fighting illness since she was three with problems with her heart as well as undergoing a bowel operation.

She was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2019 but had vowed to fight the disease and raise awareness to help others.

In a blog post before a family holiday to Centre Parcs, she told followers: “I can’t tell you how excited I am for 2020!!!

“I have a feeling it’s going to be the craziest year of my life and hopefully my best too!!

“Can’t wait to get started, going to be starting the year off in an extremely good place with the best people around me.”

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