The grieving family of a freshman student alleges that medical professionals disregarded his abdominal discomfort and advised him to use paracetamol, only for him to pass away shortly thereafter.
Joshua Adiefeh, aged 20, passed away at New Medlock House student accommodation on September 28, a fortnight after commencing his studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. His elder brother, Daniel, 21, mentioned that when he contacted ambulance call handlers, they informed him that they “wouldn’t come because they didn’t think it was serious,” despite Joshua’s evident distress.
A representative from the North West Ambulance Service stated that they would conduct an investigation and provide the family with their findings directly.
Originally from Bestwood in Nottingham, Joshua relocated to Manchester to pursue a degree in accounting and finance. He was accompanied by his twin brother, Joel, when he first started experiencing abdominal pains.
According to Daniel, “Joel called the ambulance, detailing the symptoms, which included difficulty breathing. When Joel attempted to assist Joshua, he was in such agony that he couldn’t even walk.”
“Still, the ambulance insisted they wouldn’t come as they didn’t perceive it as a serious situation. Subsequently, they recommended paracetamol,” Daniel added.
Upon Daniel’s arrival, he discovered his younger brother unresponsive. Emergency services arrived at this point, and Joshua was pronounced deceased two hours later.
The family later learned that Joshua’s passing was due to an intestinal blockage. In an online tribute, Daniel and Joel described him as “a man of faith” and one of the healthiest individuals they knew.
Daniel expressed, “It’s incredibly challenging being without him now because we always did everything together growing up – from playing sports to studying at the library. It’s surreal to think we won’t see him again.”
In the months prior to his demise, Joshua had been experiencing bouts of sickness, which he did not consider serious. Daniel mentioned, “He had experienced similar episodes before starting university, where he would vomit at work but continued working despite feeling unwell.”
“He adopted a diet aimed at improving his physique, eating once a day, which often led to vomiting. He believed the sickness was a normal reaction to fasting and overeating,” Daniel added.
Daniel noted that these symptoms had ceased in the weeks leading up to Joshua’s departure for university. A spokesperson from Manchester Metropolitan University expressed their condolences, confirming the loss of their first-year Accounting and Finance student, Joshua Adiefeh.
A representative from the North West Ambulance Service extended their sympathies to Joshua’s family and offered to address any concerns through their patient resolutions team.
