Benedict Blythe, 5, began vomiting at school and tragically died at hospital after resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful
07:49, 05 Dec 2025Updated 12:43, 05 Dec 2025
Benedict Blythe(Image: PA)
A coroner has found that future deaths could occur if changes are not made, after an ‘allergic’ reaction led to the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe. In a ‘prevention of future deaths’ report, Coroner Elizabeth Gray advised the Royal College of Pathologists and Cambridgeshire Police to take action.
Benedict was allergic to milk, eggs and some nuts, and also had asthma. He was pronounced dead in Peterborough City Hospital after suffering a food-induced anaphylaxis while at Barnack Primary School in Stamford, Lincolnshire, on December 1, 2021.
He had vomited twice before going into cardiac arrest. It was initially believed that the anaphylactic reaction had been caused by a biscuit he ate at break time. However, later, it became clear that it was the result of exposure to cow’s milk protein.
According to Coroner Gray, “matters of concern” in the actions of Cambridgeshire Police officers and pathologists related to the seizure and treatment of samples. Coroner Gray explains in the ‘prevention of future deaths’ report: “Police attended the school and carried out an investigation within the classroom and school environment and took witness statements.
“Benedict’s vomitus was not seized as part of the police investigation and no other investigatory authority requested the collection of data samples or preservation of evidence at the scene. At PCH [Peterborough City Hospital] the paediatric consultant requested that mast cell tryptase tests were done during the resuscitation efforts, to identify whether Benedict had suffered an anaphylactic reaction, and which confirmed that he had.
“Initial investigations into Benedict’s death focused on his consumption of a McVitie’s biscuit which he had brought in from home, and which he ate at the break time in school before he vomited and subsequently collapsed. During the course of the investigation, it became evident that the McVitie’s biscuit did not cause Benedict’s anaphylactic reaction and that it was more likely than not that Benedict’s anaphylactic reaction was caused by exposure to cow’s milk protein.
“The retention of samples and testing by pathologists would have assisted in identifying the cause of Benedict’s anaphylactic reaction at an earlier stage and may prevent future deaths.”
The coroner advised that the Royal College of Pathologists make changes to Kennedy samples, which are those taken when a child or baby dies suddenly. According to the report, these should be revised for cases of suspected anaphylaxis, to include evidence such as blood samples for mast cell tryptase, and tissue samples.
Coroner Gray also said stomach contents should be immediately stored and/or frozen by the pathologist, so the presence of the triggering allergen can be determined, and that blood samples taken at hospital should be retained for testing.
Other recommendations include raising the possibility a death might be due to anaphylaxis with the senior coroner for the area at the earliest opportunity, and taking an early blood sample after death which could be analysed later.
Referring to police, Coroner Gray advised taking samples of vomit. The report explained: “In the circumstances where there is an unexplained death of a child or the person and where that are data samples and evidence available at the scene including by way of example vomitus, that the police should include as part of their investigation, the seizure and retention of any such material for the purposes of later investigation either by the police the pathologist or the coroner.”
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson responded: “Our thoughts, as always, are with Benedict’s family in relation to this case. We’ve noted the findings of the report and its recommendation for us – and we will always look to discuss and review all relevant potential forensic opportunities together with our scenes of crime team.”
