Inquest into salmonella death during butcher shop health scare

Stewart Graham, 66, was found dead at his home in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, the day before health chiefs issued a warning about the danger.

People were advised to throw out cold pre-cooked meats and savouries bought from Chapman and Sons butchers in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham.

The hearing, on Thursday, was told Mr Graham was found dead by his daughter on February 21.

A post mortem examination, carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr Lakshmi Nair, found the cause of death to be sepsis, bacterial gastroenteritis from salmonella and ischaemic heart disease.

Coroner’s officer Susan Rooney said: “I understand the circumstances to be that Stewart had been complaining of sweating, having the shakes and diarrhoea. He was found deceased at home.

“Stewart had bought some meat and goods from Chapmans’ butchers at Blackhall, where there had been some cases of salmonella.

“It is uncertain or not whether or Stewart had actually eaten any food from the there.”

The hearing was adjourned pending further inquiries and a review is expected to take place on August 30.

Joanne Waller, from Durham County Council, said: “We are aware of the investigation by the coroner’s office. Our environmental health team is investigating the matter, as are Public Health England. As these investigations are currently underway we cannot comment further at this stage. Once they are completed, the appropriate information will be shared

with relevant parties in due course.”

In late February and early March there were 19 confirmed and three suspected cases of salmonella reported.

A spokesman for Public Health England: “A full report into the outbreak is now being prepared and will be shared with the relevant parties in due course.”

After the scare, Chapman and Sons ceased trading but, at the time, said the decision to close was ‘for other reasons’.

No-one from the business was available for comment when contacted by the Northern Echo.