Kayleigh Burns

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2023-0106Deceased
Date of Report 27 March 2023
Coroner Sean McGovern
Coroner Area Warwickshire
Response Deadline est. 22 May 2023
No published response · Over 2 years old
Response Status
Responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 22 May 2023
Over 2 years old — no identified published response
About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Coroner’s Concerns
During the inquest, the evidence and information revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. i. Whether the present legal framework concerning Nitrous Oxide should be reviewed, in the light of this death, having regard to the seemingly increasing use of Nitrous Oxide particularly by young persons.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 17 June 2022, I commenced an investigation into the death of Miss Kayleigh Burns. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 24th March 2023 at Warwick Coroners Court. The medical cause of death was confirmed as 1a inhalation of Nitrous Oxide compounding Asthma.
Circumstances of the Death
Miss Burns was 16 years old and suffered from asthma. On the 3rd June 2022, Kayleigh visited a friend’s flat in Stratford upon Avon. Whilst there she ingested the contents of a number of nitrous oxide cannisters. She started to wheeze and used her blue inhaler. She declined an ambulance and collapsed as she was going outside to get air. An ambulance was called and her friend performed CPR. She was resuscitated but died the next day at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire. The medical cause of death was inhalation of Nitrous Oxide compounding Asthma. I concluded that her death was drug related (ie inhalation of Nitrous Oxide) in the context of Asthma.

Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.