Two week inquest into Christopher Kapessa case – no criticism of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST)
January 30, 2024
Case concludes with no criticism of Jack Scott’s WAST client
An inquest into the death of Christopher Kapessa (13), has concluded he died after being deliberately pushed by another boy.
Exchange Chambers’ Jack Scott represented the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST). Coroner David Regan made no criticism of the Paramedics’ response.
The Coroner concluded that Christopher died from submersion. He found the boy who pushed Christopher into the water knew there was a risk of some harm resulting from the push. The Coroner also found the boy had not been honest about the accident and rejected his suggestion that he had fallen into Christopher by accident.
The Coroner has also indicated his duty to issue a Report to Prevent Future Deaths is engaged. He was concerned that the Coal Authority had no water safety policy to protect the public at the time of Christopher’s death. There is still no such policy in place.
Over two weeks, 10 children / young adults gave evidence concerning the incident itself and 9 Paramedics and medical staff offered evidence about WAST’s response.
The Inquest has received wide media coverage, some of which can be found at:
BBC News – Christopher Kapessa: What we know from his inquest
BBC News – Christopher Kapessa: Boy died after dangerous prank at river, inquest rules
Wales Online – Christopher Kapessa: The full story of the teen pushed to his death in a Welsh river
ITV – Christopher Kapessa: The schoolboy whose life was ended after one fateful push (Video)
