Coroner's child kickboxer death warning

A coroner has urged the government to protect children taking part in combat sports after a 15-year-old kickboxer died from a head injury during an unsanctioned kickboxing fight.

Michael James Pemberton, assistant coroner for Manchester (West) has taken the unusual step of filing a Prevention of Future Death (PFD) report prior to an inquest into the death of Alexander Eastwood in Wigan.

The coroner has sent his report to Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The Liverpool champion kickboxer had fought three individual rounds of a bout at a kickboxing gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan on 29 June 2024 before becoming seriously unwell.

Mr Pemberton said at a pre-inquest review hearing he was concerned there was no regulatory guidance in terms of any child combat sports.

He said the lack of regulation or guidance was important "because no base line or minimum standards of what safeguarding or necessary risk management is is set out for those who plan or organise an 'official' or 'unofficial' match where physical force may be used between or against a child participant".

Mr Pemberton added: "Under current circumstances, arrangements for each and every contact sport contest involving a child is left to the judgement of an organiser who may have recourse to principles provided by a sports association, if the match is to meet official status.

"If a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline of what minimum standard must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant."

He wrote he was concerned for children participating in the sport if there was no minimum standard of what medical support may be required, no limit on the number of rounds, or periods of rest.

He also raised concerns over a lack of welfare checks on participants and no risk assessment and critical incident plan.

The coroner's pre-inquest report noted the child was taken ill at the end of the contest and "became unresponsive apparently suffering a seizure".

A scan at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan showed he had a significant bleed on the brain.

The critically ill youngster had surgery at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to relieve the pressure on his brain but further bleeds developed and despite "maximal medical intervention" he deteriorated and was declared dead on 2 July 2024.

The boy's family thanked the coroner for his action and said they "don't want other families to suffer" the "unbearable" loss they have.

A copy of the report, which was published on Monday, has been sent by Mr Pemberton to Hurricane Combat & Fitness, Kickboxing GB, UK Sport and the Children's Commissioner for England.

A DCMS spokeswoman said: "The department will fully consider the report and respond in due course."

Nandy must respond by 9 May.

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