Latest news with #teenagedeath
Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Times
Teenage girl left alone on mental health ward was killed unlawfully
A coroner and jurors had tears in their eyes as they ruled that a teenage girl was killed unlawfully after she was left alone on a mental health ward by an agency worker using a fake name on his first shift. Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, was meant to be under strict observation at the psychiatric intensive care unit of Huntercombe Hospital in Berkshire while being treated for a severe eating disorder when she was left on her own by the worker on February 12, 2022. The inquest had heard that the agency worker, who went by the name of Ebo Acheampong, had applied for the role under a false name and had never worked in a psychiatric hospital, the police later discovered. He never returned to work after the teenager's death and fled the UK for Ghana. Ian Wade KC, the coroner, and the jurors were clearly upset when they delivered the conclusion of unlawful killing at the inquest at Buckinghamshire coroner's court in Beaconsfield. Addressing Ruth's parents, Mark and Kate Szymankiewicz, Wade said with tears in his eyes: 'I hope you will treasure all the good memories of your lovely daughter.' The inquest had been told that she shut herself in her bedroom, where she self-harmed. She died two days later at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Jurors were told that the ward was missing at least half of its staff on the day Ruth was left unsupervised. Acheampong was asked to join the intensive care psychiatrist team because they were so short-staffed that nurses could not go on breaks. Michelle Hancey, a support worker with 18 years' experience at Huntercombe, raised concerns that day that the team would 'fail to monitor patients on prescribed special observation because of staff shortage'. Acheampong was assigned to watch over Ruth on his first shift at the hospital. He repeatedly left the girl alone while she was watching TV, one time for a couple of minutes, which prompted her to walk alone to her bedroom. She had been on an observation plan which meant that she had to be kept within eyesight at all times after earlier incidents of self-harm. About 15 minutes passed before a nurse discovered the teenage girl and raised the alarm. 'Ruth was not prevented from accessing the restricted material which could be used to self-harm,' the jury foreman told the hearing. 'Ruth was not prevented from accessing harmful material on the internet. Ruth's care pathway … was insufficient to allow improvement for discharge. 'From Ruth's admission to Thames ward, her responsible clinician deemed the ward to be neither suitable nor conducive to her recovery. Ruth's parents were not given adequate information about the appeal process, and refusal rights.' Ruth's parents, who are both doctors, read an emotional statement outside the court after the verdict. They said: 'There is an empty space at our table, a silent bedroom in our home, a gaping hole in our family that will never be filled … Ruth was an incredible, bright, friendly, loving and adventurous girl with a whole life of joy ahead of her. 'When, at our most vulnerable as a family, we reached out for help, we ultimately found ourselves trapped in a system that was meant to care for her, to help her, to keep her safe, but instead locked her away and harmed her.' Huntercombe Hospital was rated 'overall inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in February 2021, and has since been closed.
The Sun
05-08-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Girl, 14, died at hospital after she was ‘left alone by mental health worker with fake ID who later fled UK'
A TEENAGE girl, 14, died in hospital after she was left alone by a worker who had a fake ID and later fled the UK, an inquest heard. Ruth Szymankiewicz was admitted to Huntercombe Hospital, in Maidenhead, Berks., after being diagnosed with an eating disorder. 2 The patient was required to be under constant supervision after harming herself 10 days prior. But, she was left alone by an agency employee working under a false identity, as reported by The Times. Tragedy struck on February 12, 2022, Buckinghamshire coroner's court heard on Monday. The worker, who was using the false name Ebo Acheampong, left Ruth by herself on his first shift at the psychiatric hospital. The teenager harmed herself during a 15-minute episode and tragically died two days later in hospital. After learning of her death, 'Ebo Acheampong', fled to Ghana. Assistant coroner Ian Wade KC told the inquest he had been recruited through a nursing agency called Platinum. He was trained for just a day-and-a-half, which the court heard was "the norm". 'But on February 12, he did not keep Ruth under a constant watch," explained the coroner. "Some time around 8pm in the evening, this man ended his shift without knowing where she was and without making sure that he handed her over to another member of staff to continue the one-to-one care regime. "He simply left.' Thames Valley Police discovered Acheampong had gone to Heathrow and flown to Ghana 'never to be seen again'. Ruth's heartbroken parents, Kate and Mark Szymankiewicz, said their family had been "shattered". They told how their daughter, who was diagnosed with anorexia, had previously been treated on the children's ward at Salisbury Hospital. The youngster was rushed to an intensive care unit in 2021 after a nasogastric feeding tube was placed into her lung instead of her stomach. The court heard her mum and dad had been apprehensive about her transfer to Huntercombe, due to the two-hour driving distance from their home. A post-mortem examination recorded Ruth's cause of death to be 'hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy', a type of brain damage due to lack of oxygen. The coroner said there had been two 'unfavourable' Care Quality Commission reports on Huntercombe Hospital, run by Active Care Group, which has since closed. The inquest is expected to last two weeks.
The Sun
16-07-2025
- The Sun
Teen motorbike rider, 14, killed in horror crash with car pictured as tributes pour in
A TEENAGE boy who died in a horrific motorbike crash has been named by police. Dalton Beavis, 14, tragically died after he was hit by a car on Monday, July 14. 3 3 3 The Sheffield boy was riding his white Stomp Juice 110 motorbike when he was hit by a black Ford Mondeo at around 6.15pm. Just moments after the crash, a nearby police officer on patrol managed to reach the scene after being flagged down by a member of the publc. The officer provided first aid while waiting for other emergency services to arrive. An off-duty nurse also assisted as they tried to save the injured boy's life. Despite their best efforts, and the boy being rushed to hospital, the teenager tragically died. Tributes have poured in from devastated friends and family members. Posting on behalf of Dalton's family, one tribute reads: "Upon request of Dalton Beavis' beloved family they would like to say a thank you to all the love, support and keeping his memory alive. "It is with broken hearts and unimaginable sorrow they would love you to pay respects to Dalton at his memorial." Other classmates expressed their sorrow at Dalton's death. Posting on Facebook with a photo of Dalton, one wrote: "He always said something that made me laugh." Teenage motorbike rider, 14, dies in horror crash with car as cops launch probe One wrote: "Fly high Dalton Beavis, rest in peace." Another said: "My thoughts are with his friends and family R.I.P. Dalton." They shared their sympathies with Dalton's family as they grieve the loss. Flowers have been lain on Tunwell Avenue in Sheffield, along with balloons spelling his name and cans of Red Bull. A memorial balloon release is set to be held at Concord Park at 5pm on July 18. Everyone is welcome, but attendees are reminded to "be mindful that his childhood friends have arranged the greeting". The 30-year-old Ford Mondeo driver remained at the scene. He was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and other traffic offences. The driver has since been released on bail as the investigation continues. Police launched a probe following the collision and are actively asking for witnesses to come forward.
The Sun
08-06-2025
- The Sun
Three people arrested after teen boy dies near pub as cops launch urgent murder probe
THREE people have been arrested after a teenage boy died near a pub. Cops, paramedics, and the air ambulance were called to New Moston in north Manchester at around 5pm today, Greater Manchester Police said. 2 The force has not said how the teenager died but has launched a murder investigation and arrested three people in connection with the death. Superintendent Marcus Noden said: "This is a distressing and heart-breaking incident where a boy has lost his life. "We are still trying to establish the circumstances around the incident and have a number of scenes in place." Pictures from the scene show a police cordon on Nevin Road in New Moston as well as another at the nearby Fairway Inn pub. Detectives said the boy's family was currently being supported by specialist officers. Cops are currently appealing for information and are asking people who were in the Nevin Road area to come forward. You can report any information to the police through their website or by calling 101, quoting log 2250 of 8/6/25. If you wish to submit information anonymously, you can use the independent charity Crimestoppers to do so. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
