A five-year-old boy with a severe milk allergy died after suffering a fatal anaphylactic (cow milk) reaction at school.
Benedict Blythe, a reception pupil at Barnack Primary School in Stamford, Lincolnshire, was accidentally exposed to cow’s milk protein on December 1, 2021, leading to vomiting, cardiac arrest, and his death later that day.
The inquest jury concluded that Benedict likely ingested a small amount of cow’s milk protein during break time, and most probably from his cup.
Though he refused a bottle of oat milk offered by his teacher, it is believed he may have accidentally consumed milk when briefly unattended.
Benedict, who was asthmatic and had allergies to milk, eggs, and some nuts, had been thriving at school. He was described as extremely bright and a member of Mensa.
His death was officially recorded as being caused by “accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein resulting in fatal anaphylaxis.”
Following the inquest, Benedict’s mother, Helen Blythe, said her son had died “in a place where he should have been safe in his school.” She said critical evidence was lost due to an inadequate investigation at the time and called for urgent reforms to prevent future tragedies.
Blythe is now campaigning for Benedict’s Law, a proposed legal requirement
