Jackie Scott · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 25th June 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jackie Scott, age 35 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 19th November 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was that Jackie Scott died from natural causes, the medical cause of death being:-

1a Acute Anaphylaxis

Jackie Scott lived in Aberdeen but was volunteering at Bamburgh, Northumberland on an archaeological dig. He was staying with colleagues at a camp site in Seahouses. On 20th June 2013 Mr Scott returned to the camp site at around 18.13 hours after collecting a curry from a local Indian restaurant (The Indian Brasserie). On eating the food with colleagues Mr Scott became ill and lost consciousness. A colleague performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. Resuscitation attempts were continued and Jackie Scott was taken to Wansbeck General Hospital where death was confirmed at 20.27 hours due to a suspected allergic reaction.

I was informed at the Inquest by Jackie Scott’s parents that he had been able to eat take-away curries in the past without any problems but it is believed that his allergic reaction was likely to have arisen from consuming food containing peanuts or peanut oil. It seems that Jackie Scott would have been unaware that the food he purchased (Tikka Massala) may have contained peanut oil or peanuts. Given the timing of his sudden allergic reaction which occurred as soon as he ate the meal, which sadly lead to his death from anaphylactic shock, it is almost certain that this was a result of the meal he consumed without knowing that it contained peanuts or peanut oil.