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Grieving mum says her son’s ‘vomiting was put down to a hangover’ before he died
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A grieving mum from Greater Manchester has said her son’s constant vomiting was ‘dismissed as a hangover’ — but just two days later, he died.
The family of a ‘kind’ and ‘loving’ man who suffered a heart attack after chronic cannabis use have spoken of their heartache following his sudden death.
Joshua Kerfoot, 27, from Bury, became unwell and began vomiting after a night out on a Friday in October last year.
Paramedics attended after Josh’s sickness persisted throughout the weekend and into Monday — but concerned mum Angela, was told that her son was just suffering from a hangover.
The next day as Angela returned from a trip out to do some shopping, she came home to discover Josh ‘cold’.
She immediately called for an ambulance. Josh was rushed to hospital, where unfortunately he was pronounced dead later that day.
As reported in The Manchester Evening News, a coroner concluded that was due to chronic cannabis use and said she had no concerns with the actions of the ambulance service.
A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We would like to offer sincere condolences to Joshua’s family at what must be a very difficult time.
“We note the coroner did not find any concern with our involvement, nor were we invited to take part in proceedings. However, if the family would like to discuss any concerns, we invite them to contact our patient safety team.”
An inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court heard that the 27-year-old had two previous admissions to hospital in 2022 with cannabis-induced hyperemesis.
Speaking to The Manchester Evening News, Angela said she ‘couldn’t understand’ why paramedics didn’t take his vomiting more seriously. Paying tribute to Josh, mum Angela said he was ‘loved by everybody’ and ‘always put others before himself.’
She said: “He was a kind and loving person. He loved spending time with his family and his niece and nephew. He had quite a few close friends. He was loved by everybody who knew him.”
She also said that she had spoken with the paramedics about Josh’s history with excessive nausea and vomiting, known as hyperemesis, but they continued to dismiss his symptoms as simply a hangover.
“I called ‘111’ on the Monday morning,” she explained. “They came out and told us he would be fine, and that it was just a hangover. But in the past he was admitted [to hospital] with the same thing. I tried to tell them that, but the paramedics didn’t check his history.”
Angela said Josh appeared ‘fine’ and was speaking to her on the morning of his death, despite still being sick. He asked her to go to the shops to get him a ‘drink of pop’ — but when she returned just 20 minutes later, she found his state had deteriorated rapidly.
“I got home at around 6:35am and found him cold,” she said. “All it took was 20 minutes.”
Coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded Josh’s death as ‘drug-related’ at the inquest on April 13th, noting that he had a ‘long history of daily cannabis use from a young age’.
“He collapsed and died at his home address on the 18th October 2022. He had been unwell for several days with vomiting due to his cannabis use,” the record of inquest states.
Concluding, Coroner Joanne Kearsley said: “I am satisfied following all investigations that there is no other reason to explain why such a young person has had an acute myocardial infarction. I find it was due to chronic cannabis use.”
A boy has been left in critical condition in hospital following an incident with a police van last night.
The 11-year-old was struck by a police van in Lancaster on Thursday night, May 25th, as the van was attending a call.
Lancashire Police say the vehicle was en route to an emergency call when the collision happened.
The boy was crossing Owen Road just before 8:30 pm when he was hit, and was transported to Royal Lancaster Infirmary in a critical condition.
A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones at this time.
“An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances that led to the collision.
“We have voluntarily referred this matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard with an incident of this nature.”
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The IOPC said in a statement: “We have declared an independent investigation into the actions of Lancashire Police prior to a road traffic collision in Owen Road, Lancaster at around 8.30pm tonight, in which a child has been injured.
“We understand that a marked police van, with its lights and sirens on, was in a collision with an 11-year-old boy.
“We were notified by the force shortly after the collision and declared an investigation at 10.37pm. IOPC investigators are heading to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information.”
According to the IOPC, the investigation is in its early stages.
News
Sam Smith cancels upcoming shows due to ‘vocal cord injury’ and tells fans ‘I’m so sorry’
‘Refunds will be available at point of purchase for all three dates; Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow’
Sam Smith has cancelled their upcoming shows due to a vocal cord injury and issued a statement telling fans, ‘I’m so sorry’.
The singer had to call off their Gloria Tour show, mid-way through, at Manchester AO Arena last night (Wednesday May 24th) after experiencing ‘vocal issues’.
The lights went off and fans waited in darkness for a number of minutes as speculation circulated on social media, with many wondering if there had been a ‘power cut’.
Moments later, after just four songs, a packed-out arena was told the show unfortunately had to be called off.
Afterwards, Sam, 31, issued a statement on their Instagram stories to tell fans — who had missed out on a ‘surprise’ that was supposed to be at the end of the show — how ‘sorry’ they were.
Today, Thursday May 25th, the ‘Unholy’ singer has issued another statement after calling off upcoming gigs.
On their Instagram stories, the star wrote: “Due to vocal issues during last night’s Manchester performance, regrettably we will be cancelling the rescheduled Birmingham and Glasgow Sam Smith shows.
“Refunds will be available at point of purchase for all three dates; Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
“A spokesperson said ‘Doctors have advised due to a vocal cord injury, Sam must have complete vocal rest’.
“Sam is heartbroken to have had to cancel these shows but they have been told by doctors that if they keep singing, they will do permanent damage to their voice.
“If they take some rest they will be able to perform again. I’m so sorry.”
Sam already had to push back the Birmingham and Glasgow gigs after suffering from a virus several weeks ago.
After calling off last night’s show at Manchester’s AO Arena, Sam wrote on their Instagram story: “Today in soundcheck I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise at the end.
“During my third song, I noticed something wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong.”
The pop singer added: “I came off stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t.
“I am honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all. I love you all. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.”
News
Body found in river in search for missing 24-year-old woman
Shannon’s family have been informed
A body has been found in a river in the search for a missing woman from Lancashire.
Police searching for Shannon Canning from Lancaster say they have found a body. The 24-year-old had been missing from home since the early hours of Friday May 19th.
A search operation was launched to find the young woman who did not turn up for work at Tipple bar on Friday afternoon.
Public appeals for help were launched by her family and the police force, who said they were concerned for her welfare as the disappearance was out of character.
Lancashire Police have confirmed the body of a woman was found in the River Lune near Halton on Wednesday afternoon, May 24th. Shannon’s family has been informed.
Patrols were increased during the week and specialist divers joined the search yesterday. Officers were called at around 4.20pm Wednesday afternoon when the discovery was made.
A statement from Lancashire Police said: “Sadly, officers searching for missing Shannon Canning have an update, following a body recovered from the River Lune.
“We can confirm that we were called today (May 24th) at around 4:20pm to a report that a body had been found in the River Lune, near Halton.
“Specialist search teams have subsequently attended the area and can sadly confirm that the body of a woman has been recovered.
“Although formal identification has yet to take place, we believe the body to be that of missing Shannon Canning.
“Shannon’s family have been made aware of this sad development and our thoughts are with them at this upsetting time.”
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Sam Smith cancels upcoming shows due to ‘vocal cord injury’ and tells fans ‘I’m so sorry’
Body found in river in search for missing 24-year-old woman
