MECHANIC DIED AFTER EATING CURRYT PESTILE

TRAGEDY OF DINER WHO ATE MEAL CONTAINING ALMONDS DESPITE KNOWING HE WAS ALLERGIC TO THEM

- PAUL BRITTON

A MAN allergic to nuts and almonds tragically died days after he ate a single mouthful of a butter chicken curry he ordered from a takeaway for a family meal.

Joseph Higginson – a much-loved son and brother – had tolerated almonds before and had also eaten the dish before, his family said.

They have now spoken out to raise awareness, saying the severity of allergies and a body’s tolerance to them can change during a person’s lifetime. A coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure at an inquest into his death.

Joseph – known to his family and friends as Joe – was 27 and a mechanic. He lived with his family in Holcombe Brook, Ramsbottom, Bury.

The takeaway involved had ‘clearly indicated’ the dish contained almonds and had stated all the correct allergy information and awareness it had to, the coroner said.

Police investigated in line with procedure, but no fault or cause for concern was found on the part of the takeaway in Holcombe Village. Joe, the inquest heard, was aware of his allergies and knew the dish contained almonds. He collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest after eating just one mouthful at home during the meal. He had been diagnosed with allergies just months earlier.