James Colin Day · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 9th May 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of James Colin Day. The investigation concluded on the 26th October 2023 and the conclusion was one of Narrative: Died from health complications arising from use of alcohol and medication to try to deal with the complications of severe post-traumatic stress disorder caused by his service in the army. The medical cause of death was 1a) Acute Left Ventricular Failure; 1b) Left ventricular hypertrophy on background of alcohol-related liver disease with superimposed combined drug toxicity; II) Post-traumatic stress disorder

James Colin Day served his country. As a consequence of his deployment in Afghanistan he developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder. He was discharged from the army having received little support to help him deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder. He used alcohol to excess and prescribed medication to try and deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder. On 6th May 2023 he collapsed on Malvern Road, Old Trafford. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Post-mortem examination found he had developed alcohol related liver disease which had led to left ventricular hypertrophy and an acute left ventricular failure exacerbated by combined drug toxicity.

The inquest heard evidence that James Day had served his country as a member of the armed services. He had been deployed to Afghanistan as part of his service where he had witnessed traumatic events that had led to him developing post-traumatic stress disorder. He needed support to help him deal with the trauma. However that had not been provided in such a way whilst he was serving to allow him to deal with his PTSD. He had subsequently left the army and had continued to struggle to cope with his PTSD. He used alcohol and prescribed medication to try and cope with the severe symptoms of his PTSD.

The inquest heard that support for service personnel with severe PTSD such as Mr Day whilst they were still serving and following discharge was patchy, difficult to access and did not appear to recognise how significant the impact of events they had witnessed whilst serving could be on their mental health.

The inquest heard that better mental health support whilst serving and following discharge may have avoided Mr Day having to turn to self-medication to try and have respite from his PTSD symptoms.