Coroner slams child protection 'failures' and 'serious missed opportunities' which led to Derbyshire teenage boxer's death

Tim Paget
By Tim Paget
Published 23rd Dec 2020, 15:06 BST
Updated 23rd Dec 2020, 16:26 BST
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A coroner has criticised ‘serious missed opportunities’ and child protection ‘failures’ by boxing regulators and trainers which could have prevented the death of a Derbyshire teenager.

Edward Bilbey, 17, who had made no secret of his dream to become world champion, collapsed in the ring at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, on Friday, March 24, 2017, shortly after the three-round bout.

He later died at King’s Mill Hospital and an inquest heard he had trained ‘excessively’ in the build up to the tournament by boxing in bin liners, taking frequent hot baths and not drinking for 12 hours before the fight.

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The cause of death was a cardiac arrest due to the combined effects of an inherited heart condition and metabolic disturbance caused by intense training and rapid weight loss through dehydration.

A coroner has given his ruling on the death of Edward Bilbey, who died after collapsing in the ring in an amateur boxing match. Image: Derbyshire police.A coroner has given his ruling on the death of Edward Bilbey, who died after collapsing in the ring in an amateur boxing match. Image: Derbyshire police.
A coroner has given his ruling on the death of Edward Bilbey, who died after collapsing in the ring in an amateur boxing match. Image: Derbyshire police.

However, recording a narrative verdict, Derbyshire coroner Dr Robert Hunter said: “His death was in part contributed to by a failure to have adequate safeguarding and child protection measures in place.”

There were several ‘serious missed opportunities’ which could have prevented Edward’s death at such a young age, the inquest heard.

The coroner said investigations showed England Boxing’s regulations and compliance procedures for amateur coaching and training had been ‘wholly unacceptable’.

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"The absence of such procedures provides an historical and continuing risk to child protection and safeguarding,” Dr Hunter told Chesterfield coroners’ court.

"It is not acceptable for governing bodies to rely on the trust of individuals to ensure compliance.”