Boy, 14, died after eating berries during family walk in Manchester park

A 14-year-old boy collapsed and died after eating berries during a walk with his dad, a coroner said. Benn Curran-Nicholls was poisoned after ingesting leaves and berries from a yew tree in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury.

An inquest heard Benn, who had severe autism, enjoyed climbing the yew tree during his daily walks with his father, who was unaware of the risks. After returning from a walk on September 18 last year he 'slumped' at his Didsbury home, before his eyes 'started to roll around his head'.

Following 'several hours' of medical attention at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Benn tragically died. A post mortem concluded Benn suffered 'refractory cardiogenic shock'.

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Coroner Andrew Bridgman has now issued a report about the dangers of eating yew tree berries. He also criticised the 'illogical' decision to not issue a public health warning following Benn's death.

Mr Bridgman wrote: "Benn Curran-Nicholls moved to Didsbury with his family from Australia in June 2022. Benn suffered severe autism with intellectual impairment, and daily walks in the local parks became a part of his daily routine.

"On the morning of September 18, 2022 Benn and his father went for a walk in Fletcher Moss Park where, among other things, there was a yew tree that Benn liked to climb. Benn ate some yew tree berries and also some of the leaves.

"Benn's father was not aware of the poisonous nature of yew tree berries/leaves, and so took no action. Interestingly neither was, in his evidence to me, Manchester City Council's Neighbourhood Manager