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Darwen boy, 14, with infectious smile ‘may not have intended to end his life’ – but tragedy struck
A teenage boy who was found hanging may not have intended to end his life, an inquest heard.
Alfie James Watson, from Darwen, was found on February 25 and rushed to hospital. Despite the best efforts of medics, his brain injuries were so severe that he died at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital two days later.
Coroner Richard Taylor today declined to deliver a conclusion of suicide as he concluded an inquest into the teenager’s death. Instead, he said it was impossible to know the 14-year-old’s true intentions.
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In a tribute paid in the days after his death, Alfie was remembered as a having an “infectious smile”. A keen footballer, he played for Blackburn side Mill Jill Juniors FC.
In a tribute posted on Facebook, the club said: “Sadly Alfie died this week and we are all very devastated at the sudden and sobering news of his passing. We cannot try to think what his family are going through at this very upsetting time. As a club we will try to support them in giving Alfie the respect he deserves when all of our teams come together this weekend in a minutes silence.
“Alfie started his football journey as 5 yr old with Little Lions before starting his grassroots journey with us at U7s through to U14s. He had a infectious smile and a wicked right foot amongst many more key attributes to being our champion.”
An inquest at Blackburn Old Town ‘Hall today heard evidence from statements submitted by Alfie’s parents who said he had seemed otherwise happy in the days leading up to his death. He had become upset the night before he was found injured but the reason was unknown.
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Here are some groups you can contact:
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email [email protected], in confidence.
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won’t show up on your bill.
PAPYRUS: Suicide prevention charity offering professional help and support to children, young people and anyone concerned for someone struggling with life. Call HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039 967 or email [email protected].
Depression Alliance: A charity for people with depression. No helpline, but it offers useful resources and links to other information.
Students Against Depression: A website for students who are depressed, have low mood, or are suicidal. Click here to visit.
Bullying UK: A website for both children and adults affected by bullying. Click here.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): For young men who are feeling unhappy. There is a helpline: 0800 58 58 58 or visit the website.
His mum, Sonhia Truesdale, said Alfie has struggled with his mental health but did not believe he had intended to end his life and said he would never hurt himself “in a million years”. She said he was looking forward to going on holiday, while his father Andrew Watson also spoke of making plans with him.
On the day he was found, he had discussed being angry and upset, Mr Taylor explained. A police investigation found no evidence of suspicious circumstances or third party involvement. A statement from a consultant paediatrician who treated Alfie explained he had suffered a cardiac arrest and although he was resuscitated, his brain injuries were too significant.
Concluding the inquest, Mr Taylor said: Alfie James Watson died on February 27, 2023 at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital having suspended himself on February 25. His intentions at the time cannot be determined.”
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