Boy, 14, diede after eating lethal berries

A TEENAGE boy collapsed and died after eating berries during a walk with his dad, a coroner said.

- DAMON WILKINSON

Benn Curran-Nicholls, 14, was poisoned after ingesting leaves and berries from a yew tree in Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury.

An inquest heard Benn, who had severe autism and had only just moved to Manchester with his family from Australia, 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 died. A post mortem concluded Benn suffered refractory cardiogenic shock.

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 waring following Benn's death.