Benedict Blythe passes away due to a severe allergic reaction in Lincolnshire incident
Fatal Lincolnshire allergic reaction death of full name Benedict Blythe
A five-year-old boy, Benedict Blythe, tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction following the consumption of a biscuit. This incident occurred at a primary school in Lincolnshire.
Benedict Blythe, attending his first year at Barnack Primary School near Stamford, passed away in hospital on December 1st, 2021. His death resulted from vomiting and subsequent respiratory failure, an inquest revealed.
The official cause of death, confirmed by the local coroner Elizabeth Gray, was food-induced anaphylaxis. Medical evidence highlighted that Benedict had significant allergies to milk, eggs, and certain nuts, alongside asthma.
The inquest was informed that Benedict was kept home from school the previous day due to illness, having vomited overnight. He attended school normally on the day of the incident after consuming dairy-free chocolate from an advent calendar. Following this, he brought a biscuit from home to eat at school.
At school, he was offered oat milk but declined. He soon vomited, prompting his parents to be contacted for a pick-up. A second episode of vomiting occurred, followed by collapse, despite receiving emergency treatment including an adrenaline auto-injector and CPR by trained staff. Medical services were called, but the child did not survive.
Benedict’s family shared that vomiting was always an early indicator of an allergic reaction, although the progression could differ. His mother, Helen Blythe, stated the school had a management plan for allergies, which was known to the family.
A paediatrician reviewing the case strongly contested the initial post-mortem conclusion that asthma was the cause of death, insisting the symptoms were consistent with anaphylaxis and not airway obstruction.
Benedict’s mother described his personality as curious, funny, kind, and loving. She expressed devastation at his loss and highlighted the anxiety he felt about food due to his allergies.
A video showed Benedict opening an advent calendar with his sister just before the incident. The mother confirmed the chocolate he ate was dairy-free.
The family set up the Benedict Blythe Foundation and collaborated with other organizations to establish an allergy management protocol for schools.
The inquest continues.
