Jurors have begun deliberating in the inquest into the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction at his primary school. The reception pupil collapsed at Barnack Primary School in Stamford, Lincolnshire, after vomiting twice and going into cardiac arrest.
Benedict, who had joined high-IQ society Mensa aged four, died in hospital on December 1 2021. The inquest at Peterborough Town Hall heard the boy was asthmatic and allergic to milk, eggs and some nuts.
Medical cause confirmed
His medical cause of death was found to be food-induced anaphylaxis. However, area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Elizabeth Gray told jurors they "may not record" that the allergic reaction was a response to specific foods Benedict consumed that day.
The coroner instructed the jury not to speculate about whether the reaction was caused by the gingerbread biscuit Benedict brought from home and ate at break time. They were also told not to attribute the reaction to the dairy-free advent calendar chocolate he ate before school or his usual breakfast with oat milk that morning.
Jury instructions given
Gray emphasised the importance of basing their decision solely on courtroom evidence. She told the jury: "You must decide the case solely on the evidence you see and hear in court."
The coroner warned against speculation and emotional influence, stating: "Please do not speculate, do not use the benefit of hindsight. You must not allow yourselves to be influenced by any emotional reaction to the case."
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
