Man's 5 heartbreaking words as he died from allergic reaction to Deliveroo pizza
A graduate told paramedics "I am going to die" as he gasped for air in the minutes before his death from a severe allergic reaction.
James Atkinson had a peanut allergy for more than 10 years and was "conscientious" about checking ingredients, according to his parents. An inquest into his death, which began today, heard that he realised something was wrong after he ate a few bites of a pizza delivered by Deliveroo.
As his flatmates raced to find his Epipen, 23 year old James called 999 as his breathing became more laboured. When paramedics arrived, the computer science graduate was “gasping for air”. Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton gave evidence at the inquest.
Dr Bolton was asked about James' final words, by Craig Hassall KC who was representing the family at the hearing, which is expected to last for two weeks. Mr Hassall said that when the paramedics arrived, Mr Atkinson reportedly told them as he struggled to breathe that he was going to die.
Dr Bolton replied: “He experienced his difficulty in breathing and he was becoming aware it was getting worse, (and) individuals do sometimes say ‘I am going to die’. Medically, that is taken very seriously. Everybody is still doing everything they can to stop that being the case, and, in fact, to prove the individual wrong.”
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James Atkinson, 23, who who died of a suspected severe allergic reaction (PA)By the time he had been helped downstairs, he was assessed to have a Glasgow coma score of three, Dr Bolton said, and was “profoundly unconscious”. Mr Atkinson was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle at 8.40pm on July 10, 2020 and, despite the efforts of medics to resuscitate him, his death was confirmed at 9.21pm.
Toxicology tests showed he had no alcohol or other drugs in his system at the time and so his decision-making ability was not impaired, the inquest heard. Dr Bolton said Mr Atkinson was known to be “usually very good” at monitoring his allergies, having been diagnosed with a peanut allergy 10 years earlier.
The contents of his stomach were examined by an expert after his death and what were possibly nuts were found. Examination of the uneaten takeaway food also detected the presence of peanuts, as did analysis of a “nut mix” at the Dadyal restaurant in Newcastle which supplied it, Dr Bolton said. She gave the cause of death as anaphylaxis following peanut ingestion.
Left to right: Family lawyer Thomas Jervis, Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, James' mum Jill and dad Stuart Atkinson with Jill Paterson family Lawyer (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)At the start of the hearing, Mr Atkinson’s parents, Jill and Stuart, together read out a pen-portrait of their son. On behalf of the family, his father said: “James had a gift of making others happy, checking in on friends and offering support when needed. To be in his company with his amazing sense of humour and infectious laugh was a privilege. First on the dance floor and last to leave, James lived life to its fullest but also had a sensitive and thoughtful side.
“His whole family meant the world to him. He was loving, kind and caring. James’s sudden death has left an insurmountable hole in our hearts. He had his whole life ahead of him full of future plans and dreams that will not be realised or witnessed by his family. No more memories to make.
“We were blessed to have him for the 23 years that we did. He is irreplaceable. However, to honour him we hold a forever space in our hearts and carry him with us always – our beautiful boy, James.”
The inquest, set to last two weeks, continues.
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