A coroner has returned a verdict of death by natural causes on an Oxfordshire policewoman who died while expecting twins.

Pc Sarah Underhill, 37, of Didcot, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, last October from a rare pregnancy condition.

Her twins, Hannah and James, were delivered by emergency Caeserean section.

A two-day inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court into the death heard Mrs Underhill had a fatal condition called amniotic fluid embolism, causing massive blood loss and her heart and lungs to collapse.

Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Her husband Richard Underhill, also a police officer, attended the inquest.

Outside the hearing, the family's solicitor, John Coughlan, read a statement on behalf of Mr Underhill.

He said: “On behalf of the family I’d like to thank the coroner for a thorough investigation.

“I’d like to thank doctors and staff at the John Radcliffe who fought so hard to save Sarah’s life that morning and the twins the best chance thereafter.

“Sarah was a devoted daughter, a caring sister and a beautiful wife.

“It’s truly heartbreaking she won’t go on to be the wonderful mother she would have been and will be sadly missed by all her family.”