New Details Emerge in Inquest Into the Death of 5-Year-Old Benedict Blythe

When school was closed on weekends, he sobbed because he liked it so much. But the same location that brought the five-year-old delight also became the scene of his last moments, which were avoidable.

A jury determined that crucial safety protocols at Lincolnshire’s Barnack Primary School were not followed, which may have avoided Benedict Blythe’s deadly cow’s milk allergy in December 2021.

According to the BBC, Benedict passed out during a school morning break after throwing up twice. He was declared deceased after being taken to Peterborough City Hospital. It was determined that food-induced anaphylaxis was the cause of death.

According to the findings of the inquest, which came to an end on Wednesday at Peterborough Town Hall, he had unintentionally come into contact with cow’s milk protein, most likely via a cross-contaminated cup of oat milk that was supposed to be safe for him.

Although a care plan had been developed to shield the little kid from a variety of allergies, such as those to eggs, kiwis, and almonds, the jury observed that important safety precautions had not been taken.

There is a chance that his oat milk could become contaminated because it was prepared in the staff room when it was meant to be poured in the classroom and given to him immediately.

Wider flaws in the school’s allergy management system were also noted by the jury, such as inadequate communication of his allergy plan to teaching staff and delays in giving his adrenaline auto-injector.

Helen Blythe, Benedict’s mother, stated that her son’s death may have been avoided in her remarks following the inquiry. “He ought to have been secure where he died. There was a chain reaction of

institutional, systemic, and human failures,” he continued, adding, “No more kids should be killed at school due to allergies. We’re calling for change.

The family wrote on Facebook how much Benedict loved school and how he grieved when he found out he couldn’t go on weekends. However, Helen’s intense anxiety about leaving her child in the care of

someone else due to life-threatening allergies was also conveyed in the message. The family is now using the hashtag #ProtectPupilsWithAllergies to encourage the public to support their fight.

A representative for the Department of Education acknowledged the tragedy and stated that the jury’s verdict would be reviewed. A public statement from Barnack Primary School has not yet been released.

In an anaphylactic reaction, the body’s immune system overreacts to a substance it misidentifies as harmful, generating a rush of chemicals that cause a severe and quick reaction, according to the NHS.

A sharp decrease in blood pressure may result from this, as well as swelling of the airways that makes breathing difficult.

Benedict had already experienced his second severe anaphylactic response in six weeks in the weeks preceding his death. Later, his mother wrote in a post about how happy he was as they wheeled him out

of the resuscitation room. It was a moment of relief at the time. It now serves as a poignant reminder of how urgently his health needed to be treated.

While the inquest into Benedict’s death has sparked urgent discussions about allergy safety in schools, another community on the other side of the world is still dealing with the loss of another young child who was adored by many.

While visiting relatives in Redding Township, Jackson County, on June 23, 2025, four-year-old Maverick Lee Flinn and his 68-year-old great-grandmother perished in an agricultural accident in southern Indiana.

The event happened at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Monday while the little kid was spending time with his grandfather on a farm in the county, northeast of Seymour. When a lively and affectionate child

named Maverick joined his great-grandfather in the cab of a combine harvester, the tragedy quickly came to pass. But he died in a terrible accident as he tried to get off the machine.

A tractor hit Maverick and his great-grandmother, who is 68 years old. They were seriously hurt when emergency personnel swiftly arrived. Sadly, Maverick was declared deceased after being sent to a

neighboring medical facility. Two days later, on Wednesday, June 25, Maverick’s great-grandmother passed away from her wounds after being sent to another hospital.

Their departure has completely upended the community they left behind. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department sent a statement expressing their deepest sympathies and confirming that the combine was the machine in question. There is an ongoing inquiry into the incident.

However, love and unity surfaced even in the midst of unfathomable sorrow. Maverick’s uncle Zach Flinn has the same innocence as the young child. He revealed, “It was in his blood,” referring to Maverick’s love of farming. “But just so energetic, so loving, never met someone that he didn’t want to give a hug to.”

The family has been inundated with support since the disaster. In order to assist with the wheat harvest, neighbors and friends were quick to contribute food, tools, and labor.

In just one day, what would have taken over two weeks to finish was finished—a demonstration of compassion and teamwork. “It was Tuesday morning when… Zach thought, “I can’t even begin to

describe how many had called or reached out.” It was unbelievable. We would have supported someone else if it had been [sic] the other way around, but this community has done something truly amazing.”

The Flinn family has a long history of firefighting in addition to farming; Maverick’s father and grandpa are both firefighters. Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones, to whom Maverick and Zach’s family

individually reached out, promised to attend Maverick’s burial in a heartfelt show of solidarity. The date of the service was set on June 30, 2025, Monday.

“Letting the families know, letting the firefighters know at Seymour Fire Department, I really care for them, and this part of the job is where the heart gets involved,” the marshal stated.

A strong legacy from this catastrophe is starting to emerge. The “Maverick Minute” is a call to action for farmers and laborers to take a moment to observe their surroundings before operating machinery in

remembrance of Maverick. “The ‘Maverick Minute’ is going to be something that is not just safety, but it’s going to be to remember him,” Zach stated.

Maverick and his great-grandmother will always be remembered because of the love that was shown, the strength of the family, and Maverick’s unwavering spirit, even if nothing can ever fully heal the emptiness left behind.

The neighborhood has quickly stepped in to help the family deal with their devastating loss, not just with their hands and harvesters but also with genuine kindness.

Though Benedict and Maverick’s deaths occurred under very different circumstances, the sadness they leave behind is painfully similar: a gap where laughing once was, routines that were permanently altered,

and futures that were dreamed but never fulfilled. The two tragic tales also serve as terrible reminders of how swiftly life can change and how profoundly a community may be affected by a child’s death.