Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2013

Anthony Hughes

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2013-0352, written 9 Dec 2013. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Dec 2013
Reference2013-0352
DeceasedAnthony Hughes
CoronerAndre Rebello
Coroner areaLiverpool
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text recovered by OCR from a scanned PDF. OCR is imperfect: check anything you rely on against the source PDF. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1)

NOTE: This form is to be used after an inquest.

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

Director General
National Crime Agency
Bramshill

Hook

Hampshire RG27 0JW

1 | CORONER

| am André Rebello, Senior Coroner, for the area of Liverpool

2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

| make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.

3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 13" March 2012, | commenced an investigation into the death of Antony HUGHES
, Aged 27. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 9th December 2013.

The conclusion of the inquest was

la Cocaine Toxicity with Excited Delirium

Mr Hughes died from a drug related death

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

On Sunday 26" February 2012 Antony Hughes went with friends to London on the
occasion of Liverpool F.C. playing in the 2012 League Cup final. He returned to
Liverpool in the early hours of Tuesday 28" February 2012. During the trip he consumed
large quantities of alcohol, cocaine and non-prescribed valium. The effects of the
substances consumed had an adverse effect on his mental health which was witnessed
by him stating that people were after him. During the early evening of the 28" February
2012 he alighted from a taxi in Liverpoo! Road Huyton and was witnessed running in
and out of the traffic on East Prescot Road. This behaviour alarmed members of the
public who contacted the emergency services. Mr Hughes was unwell, paranoid and
anxious and he entered the garden on East Prescot Road, kicking at the door
causing alarm to the occupants. Police officers attended and approached Mr Hughes.
He was apprehended and restrained by police officers to prevent harm to himself and to
protect the public. He was handcuffed behind his back initially face down. This was a
fast moving dynamic incident involving a very agitated and unwell man. Despite the best
efforts by the police officers to move him onto his side to an approximate recovery
position, Mr Hughes was making involuntarily movements making it difficult to hold him
in one position. An ambulance team arrived and assisted by the police put him back into
the recovery position to facilitate examination. Mr Hughes was moved to the ambulance
where an attempt was made to gain intravenous access. During this attempt Mr Hughes

suffered an arrest. Cardio-respiratory resuscitation was commenced and Mr Hughes
was appropriately rushed to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital Emergency
department where advanced life support was available. In spite continuation of

'| resuscitation efforts he was certified as having died at 20.53.

Post mortem analysis of blood revealed Cocaine at 1.5 milligrams per litre,
Benzoylecgonine greater than 5 milligrams per litre, Diazepam at 0.060 milligrams per
litre and desmethyldiazapam at 0.015 Milligrams per litre. There was no evidence of
asphyxia and it is more likely than not Anthony Hughes was experiencing excited
delirium as a result of cocaine use. His paranoid and agitated stressful state is more
likely than not to have elevated catecholamine levels which are likely to have
exacerbated the cardio-toxic affects of cocaine until exhaustion/containment calmed Mr
Hughes down.

| CORONER’S CONCERNS

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In
my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the
circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.

The MATTERS OF.CONCERN are as follows. —

During the course of this inquest, though there is no criticism of the action of police
officers (or paramedics), it was apparent that police officers were unaware of the term
excited delirium at the time of the incident. Coincidentally it was found that the officers
acted in an appropriate manner given the presentation before them. However, in
different circumstances training with regard to awareness of excited delirium might make

i ce. | have now received evidence from Merseyside Police from DCI
eee that there was implemented via an online training package (Breeze Package)
a new Personal Safety Training package which includes awareness slides on excited
delirium. All officers must present a knowledge check certificate when attending annual
personal safety training. This package was based upon a similar package already
available to South Wales Police Officers. It is appreciated that Chief Constables
independently run their own forces to the requirements of the police Commissioner's
however | would be grateful to hear whether this awareness training in excited delirium
is now standard across England and Wales Constabularies.

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the
power to take such action.

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely by 3rd February 2014. |, the coroner, may extend the period.

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out
the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons

Mr Hughes’ family
Merseyside Police

North West Ambulance Service and
The Coroners’ Society of England and Wales

1 am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary
form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful
or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your
response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner.

ule oh

André Rebello
Senior Coroner for the
City of Liverpool

9" December 2013

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