Inquest concludes delay in adrenaline injections contributed to Stamford boy's death
5-year-old Benedict Blythe died after an allergic reaction in December 2021.
Last updated 9th Jul 2025
A jury has concluded a 5-year-old boy from Stamford most likely died from an allergy ingestion - but a delay in giving him an adrenaline injection was a contributing factor to his death.
Benedict Blythe passed away in December 2021 after having an allergic reaction at his primary school.
Following a near two week inquest at Peterborough Town Hall - the jury concluded his death was probably because of an accidental exposure to an allergen.
They said delayed administration of two adrenaline injections was a contributing factor, along with excessive exercise and recent illness.
His allergy plan also wasn’t shared with teaching staff, and on the day of the incident, procedures were not followed as they poured Benedict’s milk and took it to the classroom he was in.
Jurors heard that the boy, who joined high-IQ society Mensa aged four, was asthmatic and allergic to milk, eggs and some nuts.
On Wednesday, the foreperson of the jury at Peterborough Town Hall said: "We deem the probable source of the allergen that caused the fatal anaphylaxis is the ingestion of cow's milk protein, most probably from his own receptacle during break time."
Speaking after the conclusion of the inquest, Benedict's mother Helen Blythe said:
"Three and a half years ago, we lost our son. Benedict died in a place where he should have been safe - his school."