Lodged bean kills baby in tragic accident

Aviraj Singh Gill was at the family home in Emily Street, West Bromwich, when he swallowed several uncooked beans.

After becoming unwell he was seen by healthcare professionals five times before his death on September 11. Several diagnoses were given but none identified the bean which caused pneumonia in the right lung.

At the inquest at Smethwick Council House on Monday, Coroner Zafar Siddique reached a conclusion of accidental death.

It was while being looked after by his father, Sukhwinder Singh Gill, that Aviraj opened a kitchen cupboard and knocked a container of beans onto the floor.

His parents knew he had swallowed some but with no evidence of choking were unaware one had entered his lung.

He quickly became unwell and in the next five days was twice taken to walk-in centres, twice to a GP surgery and to A&E at Sandwell Hospital.

The family were told several diagnoses - including an upper respiratory tract infection and tonsillitis - and were prescribed pain relief and antibiotics.

The inquest heard the day before he died, Aviraj had briefly stopped breathing but recovered having been hit on his back by his father.

Dr Ali Akbar, a consultant paediatrician at Sandwell Hospital, said the uncooked bean could have swelled once in the lung, making the obstruction worse.

He added with the amount of contact with medical professionals, there had been 'missed opportunities'.

"In hindsight, a child this age, with a few days of history, with increased work of breathing, and the episode where he stopped breathing, suggests he should have been referred or investigated a little more," he said.

The inquest heard Aviraj had suddenly become unresponsive at around 9am on the morning he died.

His mother, Jaswinder Kaur Gill, ran into the street and shouted for help. She was taken inside by her neighbours who called 999.

Efforts were made to resuscitate Aviraj but he was pronounced dead at 9.44am.

Returning his conclusion, Mr Siddique said had there been evidence of choking it may have resulted in further investigation.

He said: "I would like to offer my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to both parents. The loss of a child in any circumstances is tragic but given the circumstances described and the efforts in obtaining medical attention it is a particularly tragic case.

"It is tragic there were no signs of choking and that further investigation did not take place. It is an absolute tragedy for everyone involved."

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Gill, said: "He was a very good, smart and intelligent boy."