A man died from just one mouthful of a takeaway curry laced with nuts which triggered a fatal allergic reaction, an inquest heard.
Joseph Higginson had an allergy to nuts and almonds and died days after eating the dish, which his family said he had eaten with no issues before. The 27-year-old mechanic from Bury, Greater Manchester, had tucked into the butter chicken curry which "clearly indicated" it contained almonds with the correct allergy information as he had previously eaten nut-based dishes and tolerated them.
His family spoke out after his fatal reaction, raising awareness of the severity of allergies and how a body's tolerance to them can change during a person's lifetime. Joe, the inquest heard, was aware of his allergies and knew the dish contained almonds.
He collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest after eating just one mouthful at home during the meal. He had been diagnosed with allergies just months earlier. Police investigated after his death, but no fault or cause for concern was found on the part of the takeaway.
A coroner at Rochdale coroner's court recorded a verdict of misadventure at an inquest into his death on Thursday, MEN reports. The court heard that in June 2022, he was seen by an allergist, with a skin prick test later confirming he was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, almonds and coconuts.
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He was given an EpiPen - an auto-injector containing epinephrine to decrease a body's allergic reaction - and received guidance on anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can happen extremely quickly. It's typically caused by food allergies, medicine or insect stings. Joe's sister, Emily Higginson, said in a statement read out in court that he had been earlier hospitalised in April of that year but didn't always take his allergies seriously.
The tragedy happened during a family meal on December 28, 2022. Joe - whose death has saved the lives of others because his organs were donated in line with his wishes - placed an order from the Mala Indian Restaurant and the family were all zsitting together. The inquest heard he ate a starter and then a mouthful of the butter chicken main dish when he suddenly stood up. Joe rushed to the kitchen sink and then went upstairs.
His EpiPen was administered to his thigh by his sister, but nothing happened and he collapsed. The family placed him in the recovery position and dialled 999 before he was also given adrenaline. CPR was carried out and he was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where he sadly died on January 4 last year.
The inquest heard 'acute anaphylaxis' was given as one cause of death. A pathologist, Dr Philip Lumb, said Joe had recently received a diagnosis of an allergy to tree nuts, peanuts, almonds and coconuts and had been 'told to avoid nuts'. Dr Lumb said in a statement Joe suffered an 'immediate allergic reaction' as soon as he put the butter chicken into his mouth.
Almonds, the inquest heard, were 'the most likely trigger'. Police said an investigation was launched but no 'adulterants' were found in the food. The menu said a detective in a statement read out, 'clearly stated' the butter chicken dish contained almonds and Joe had eaten the dish before.
Joe's sister Emily, 32, said the family have raised money to fund defibrillators in the area and for the charity Anaphylaxis UK after his death. Thanking all those who were involved in his medical care, she told the Manchester Evening News after the inquest: "People with allergies should always take the situation seriously.
"It is not something that can be taken for granted - the severity can change throughout a person's lifetime." The family said Joe was due to posthumously receive The Order of St John award for organ donation. The inquest heard his wishes with regard to donating his organs to give the gift of life to others were honoured.
Emily said: "He has donated his heart as per his wishes and a kidney. We know they are alive and well and that the transplants were successful." Paying tribute to her brother, she added: "He was cheeky and enjoyed a night out. He liked the good things. He has a lovely group of friends who have been amazing and supportive. We want to thank them and all those involved in Joe's care."
Coroner Julie Mitchell commended the family for their efforts to save Joe's life, saying they couldn't have done any more. She recorded a verdict of misadventure.
The coroner said the restaurant clearly indicated that the dish contained almonds and said Joe was 'well aware' it was a 'risky food for him to consume'. But she said he chose the meal because he had 'tolerated' it before - as well as almonds.
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Ms Mitchell said almonds were the 'likely' trigger of Joe's immediate reaction to the dish. "He was aware that the meal he consumed contained almonds," added the coroner, sending her condolences to the family. "Given that Joe deliberately ate the dish knowing that it contained almonds and knowing that it was a risky food for him to consume, I am satisfied that this is a misadventure death."
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