March 17, 2025

Alexander Eastwood: Prevention of Future Deaths Report

Child Death (from 2015)

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Date of report: 14/03/2025

Ref: 2025-0142

Deceased name: Alexander Eastwood

Coroners name: Michael Pemberton

Coroners Area: Manchester West

Category: Child Death (from 2015)

This report is being sent to: Department For Culture, Media And Sport

	REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS
	THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 1 Department For Culture, Media And Sport
1	CORONER I am Michael James Pemberton, HM Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of Manchester (West).
2	CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.
3	INVESTIGATION and INQUEST On 05 July 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Alexander Robert EASTWOOD aged 15. The investigation has not yet concluded, and the inquest has not been heard.
4	CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH On 29 June 2024, Alexander Eastwood participated in a kickboxing competition in Wigan. He wore safety equipment including a head guard, and gloves. The fight lasted 3 x 2 minute rounds. At the end of the contest, he appeared unwell and became unresponsive apparently suffering a seizure. Medical assistance at the match was summoned and paramedics were called. He was taken by ambulance to Wigan Royal Albert & Edward Infirmary where a CT scan showed he had a significant bleed on the brain. He was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in a critical condition and underwent surgery to relieve intracranial pressure, but unfortunately further bleeds developed and despite maximal medical intervention he deteriorated and was declared deceased on 2 July 2024.
5	CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: 1. During the current course of investigation, it is apparent that there is no guidance or regulation of contact sports involving children’s participation. 2. This is important, because no base line or minimum standards of what safeguarding or necessary risk management is set out for those who plan or organise an ‘official’ or ‘unofficial’ match where physical force may be used between or against a child participant. 3. Under current circumstance, arrangements for each, and every contact sport contest involving a child, is left to the judgement of an organiser who may have recourse to principles provided by a sports association, if the match is to meet official status. If a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline of what minimum standards must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant. 4. This includes a. no minimum standard of what medical support may be required, b. maximum rounds or periods of rest c. welfare checks on participants being undertaken. d. no risk assessment and critical incident plan 5. In the current investigation, these concerns relate to the sport of Kick Boxing, but the identified issues appear to be of wider significance in terms of ‘contact ‘ sports involving children.
6	ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.
7	YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 9 May 2025. I, the coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no action is proposed.
8	COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Hurricane Combat & Fitness Kickboxing GB I have also sent it to UK Sport Children’s Commissioner for England who may find it useful or of interest. I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner.
9	Dated: 14 March 2025 Michael James Pemberton Assistant Coroner for Manchester (West)

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