Friends have paid tribute to a teenager who died suddenly.

Karen Jane Edgar, 16, of Sycamore Garth, Little Clifton, died on April 8 last year.

An inquest heard she had been found by her mother the night before and taken to Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital, but was pronounced dead in the early hours of the morning.

A pathologist said it was likely Miss Edgar had died as a result of hanging.

In a statement, a friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “Karen was clever, outgoing and always tried to help people when she could. Karen was a good friend and I miss her.”

Another friend described Miss Edgar as very bright. She added: “I’m struggling with the fact she’s no longer here and I miss her and her friendship.”

The inquest heard the Workington Academy student had been referred to the NHS’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in October 2015 and received care and treatment throughout the period leading to her death.

Elaine Graham, senior practitioner, said Miss Edgar had presented with issues including suicidal thoughts, low mood and lack of appetite and had been treated for depression. She was taking antidepressants.

Six months before she died, Miss Edgar had been admitted to hospital after overdosing on paracetamol. But Mrs Graham said it had not been an attempt to take her life and Miss Edgar had never acted on her suicidal thoughts.

The inquest heard Miss Edgar had arranged to sleep at a friend’s house the day before she died.

However, during a visit to McDonald’s with friends she texted her mother asking to be picked up. Later that night she was found by her mother, who called 999 and carried out CPR.

The inquest continues.