The family of a freshman student is devastated after medical staff allegedly disregarded his stomach discomfort and advised him to take paracetamol, leading to his tragic death shortly thereafter. Joshua Adiefeh, 20, passed away at New Medlock House student accommodation in Manchester on September 28, just two weeks into his studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. His older brother, Daniel, recounted a distressing phone call with ambulance call handlers who purportedly deemed the situation non-urgent and declined to dispatch assistance despite Joshua’s deteriorating condition.
According to Daniel, Joshua, who had moved from Bestwood in Nottingham to pursue a degree in accounting and finance, first complained of stomach pains while in the company of his twin brother, Joel. Despite Joel’s detailed description of Joshua’s symptoms, which included difficulty breathing and excruciating pain preventing him from walking, the ambulance services allegedly insisted that the situation was not serious enough to warrant immediate intervention and advised Joel to administer paracetamol.
When Daniel arrived at the scene, he found Joshua unresponsive. Emergency services arrived shortly after, but Joshua was pronounced dead two hours later. The family later learned that Joshua’s untimely demise was attributed to an intestinal blockage. In a touching online tribute, Daniel and Joel described Joshua as a deeply religious individual and one of the healthiest individuals they knew.
Reflecting on the loss, Daniel expressed the profound impact of Joshua’s absence, emphasizing their close bond and shared experiences growing up. In the weeks preceding his death, Joshua had experienced intermittent episodes of sickness, which he had not considered serious. Despite these health concerns, Joshua had made dietary changes to enhance his physique, often resulting in post-meal vomiting, which he attributed to fasting and overeating.
Daniel revealed that Joshua’s symptoms had subsided in the weeks leading up to his departure for university. A spokesperson from Manchester Metropolitan University extended condolences to Joshua’s family and friends, acknowledging the tragic loss. Similarly, a representative from the North West Ambulance Service offered condolences to the bereaved family and encouraged them to raise any concerns with their patient resolutions team during this difficult time.