Nearly five years ago, a seemingly ordinary day at Taunton RFC in Somerset turned tragic when a 69-year-old grandmother lost her life after an unexpected accident. The incident, which occurred in January 2020, has recently been the subject of an inquest in Wells, Somerset.
Jennifer Selwood was watching her grandson play rugby when she was struck on the head by a ball from an adjacent pitch. The impact caused a brain bleed, which was exacerbated by her pre-existing health conditions. Jennifer suffered from diabetes and aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder that affects the body's ability to produce new blood cells.
Colin Selwood, Jennifer's husband, provided a firsthand account of the incident. He explained that they had moved to a gravel path between two pitches due to slippery conditions on the sidelines. Colin recalled, > "She was struck. She just made a groan and collapsed to the ground, and I went down to support her."
[[Eyewitness Account]]
"I just heard a thud and she went down. As far as I know, the ball hit her on the back of the head and she went down."
The couple's son, Dan Selwood, a youth coach at the club, described his mother's rapid deterioration after the incident. He noted that she quickly became dazed and complained of neck pain before her condition worsened.
Dr. Sarah Allford, a consultant haematologist who had been treating Jennifer, explained the increased risk posed by her medical conditions. The combination of diabetes and aplastic anemia made Jennifer more susceptible to significant bleeding in the event of trauma.
It's worth noting that rugby is a popular sport in Somerset, with Taunton RFC being a prominent club in the area. The average rugby ball weighs between 410-460 grams, which can cause significant impact when propelled at high speeds. Youth rugby in England follows specific age-grade regulations to ensure player safety, but accidents can still occur.
Jennifer was initially taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, the largest acute hospital in Somerset, before being transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, a major trauma center for the South West region. Despite medical efforts, she passed away on January 25, 2020, thirteen days after the incident.
This tragic event highlights the importance of understanding and managing pre-existing health conditions, especially in potentially risky environments. It also underscores the need for continued vigilance and safety measures in sports settings, even for spectators.
The ongoing inquest aims to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, as is standard practice for unexpected deaths in the UK. Coroners, who are independent judicial officers, play a crucial role in investigating such cases to provide closure for families and potentially prevent similar occurrences in the future.