'Beautiful' ballet dancer, 25, dies after eating mislabelled cookie from supermarket

A ballet dancer from Lancashire has died in the US after eating a cookie from a supermarket which reportedly did not say it contained peanuts.

Órla Baxendale died from anaphylactic shock after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a vanilla florentine cookie from supermarket chain Stew Leonard's, the Mirror reports. The 25-year-old had eaten the cookie - not knowing it contained the nuts - at a social gathering in Connecticut and her EpiPen was unable to save her.

She tragically died on January 11. In a statement on Sky News, Ms Baxendale's family described her as 'truly one of a kind' and as a 'beautiful, radiant and brave soul'.

Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link.

She had moved from Helmshore, near Rawtentstall in east Lancashire, to New York City in 2018 to pursue a career in dancing. In an obituary posted on the EverLoved website, Ms Baxendale was described as an 'exquisite ballet, contemporary, and Irish step dancer'.

"Órla Baxendale was an embodiment of enthusiasm, strength, and beauty. Known for her quirky character and boundless love for those around her, she was a source of joy and inspiration to everyone", the obituary added.

"Her presence was a constant reminder to live life to its fullest, a lesson she embraced wholeheartedly and urged others to adopt. Her legacy is one of magic and artistry, a unique blend that she brought into everything she did."

Orla attended Westholme School in Blackburn during her time in the UK. Her sister and star of E4 series My Mad Fat Diary, Ciara Baxendale, also paid tribute to Orla, LancsLive reported.. On Instagram, she wrote: "Órla was radiant, a dreamer. I am so honoured to say that this girl is my sister, she was just so