Leeds man dies from allergic reaction to peanuts after ordering Pizza through Deliveroo
A Leeds man died after suffering an allergic reaction to peanuts from eating a pizza he had ordered off of Deliveroo. James Atkinson, 23, ordered a chicken tikka masala pizza, chips and Indian food with his flatmate. The computer programmer had searched the internet for likely ingredients in certain foods, heard a hearing in Newcastle.
Mr Atkinson was a former student at Newcastle University and was originally from Leeds. He had eaten the chips and less than one slice of pizza before he became seriously unwell. His flatmate searched for his EpiPen, but was unable to find it.
Mr Atkinson then called an ambulance. Craig Hassall KC, representing the family, said that when the paramedics arrived, Mr Atkinson, as he struggled for breath, that he was going to die. Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton outlined the background to the inquiry into his death.
She said Mr Atkinson was “gasping for air” when the ambulance crew arrived. By the time he had been helped downstairs, he was assessed to have a Glasgow coma score of three and he was “profoundly unconcious”. Mr Atkinson was then taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle at 8.40pm on July 10, 202.
Despite the best efforts of medics, his death was confirmed at 9.21pm.
James Atkinson, 23 (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)
The Toxicology tests showed he had not alcohol or drugs in his system at the time and so his decision-making ability was not impaired, the inquest heard. Dr Bolton added Mr Atkinson was “usually very good” at monitoring his allergies after he was diagnosed with a peanut allergy ten years earlier. His stomach contents were also examined and what were possibly nuts were discovered.
An examination of the uneaten takeaway food also detected the presence of peanuts, as did an analysis of a “nut mix” at the Dadyal restaurant in Newcastle which supplied it, said Dr Bolton. Dr Bolton also gave the cause of death as anaphylaxis following peanut ingestion. The Coroner, Karen Dilks, asked Dr Bolton if the outcome could have been different if an EpiPen had been found.
The pathologist said: “Even with the appropriate use of an EpiPen, there’s no guarantee that an individual will survive, but it certainly increases your chances.” When Dr Bolton answered Mr Hassall’s comment about Mr Atkinson saying he was going to die, she said: “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.”
James Atkinson, 23 (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)
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.