Footballer died after allergic reaction
A young man has died after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a curry containing peanuts.
Talented footballer Danny Macpherson, who would have celebrated his 22nd birthday today, suffered an immediate anaphylactic shock after eating a mouthful of food from an Indian takeaway.
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Danny Macpherson
His mum, Diane, and 17-year-old sister, Amy, rushed to his aid, but he suffered a heart attack in the ambulance on the way to hospital.
The Moira United footballer died three days later, on Wednesday, February 18.
Danny, who lived with his parents, Diane and Neil, in Ashby, said he was in good spirits on the day of the tragedy, after scoring a hat-trick for Moira and spending the previous day, Valentine's Day, with his girlfriend of five years, Rachel Shattock.
His mother, a district nurse, said: "It was just so severe. He didn't stand a chance. He was a lovely lad. He wasn't just a son to us, but a best mate as well. I'm so proud that he was our son.
"It's just horrible. They got him breathing again in the ambulance, but I could tell he wasn't going to come back.
"We have good days and bad days, but we're taking each day as it comes."
Because Danny was registered as an organ donor, his heart and kidneys have now been donated. His tendons will be used to help sportsmen with injuries – something his family say he would have loved.
Neil, managing director of Macpherson Coaches, in Donisthorpe, said: "It's nice to think that someone's getting something out of what's happened. He had loads of friends and didn't have a bad word to say about anyone."
More than 400 people attended Danny's funeral and his family have raised more than £2,000 for charity since his tragic death.
Danny, who was studying accountancy, was diagnosed with a peanut allergy after having tests from the age of five.
His parents say his skin would swell when he touched peanuts, but that he had never actually eaten one. They now want people to be more aware of the dangers of cooking with peanut oil and using contaminated cooking equipment.
Diane said: "We want people to know that allergies can be fatal. A knife that has been near peanuts but hasn't been washed could cause a serious reaction.
"He used to joke and say he was a legend, and I suppose he was. To have 400 people at the funeral was amazing, and we've had about 200 cards. He was so popular."
For more information on life-threatening allergies, go to www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
6 Comments
by Carol Evans, Braintree, Massachusetts USA
Friday, April 17 2009, 2:51PM
“This is such a sad story. My heart goes out to this wonderful young man's family and friends. My 5 yr. old daughter has peanut and mustard seed allergies. We almost lost her from the unknown mustard seed allergy 2 yrs ago when she had a taste accidentally of (just residue) on a piece of bread pretzel. I was fortunate to have an epi-pen jr that I had just received for the peanut allergy. (we found out around 10 mos) The mustard in our case caused a much more swift reaction which immediately went into huge hives and throat symtoms. I was of course thinking that she must have touched some peanut etc oil as I never heard of a mustard allergy in my lifetime. I have two older children as well. I hope that anyone who has a child with peanut allergies will have mustard ruled out (safely via blood test0 because mustard is in so many foods and where i live in the USA it is not considered an allergen yet. Though many are afflicted. Again my heart goes out to this family .”
by JAYNE, ENDERBY
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 3:22PM
“A terrible tragedy we all agree. I have been allergic to all nuts since small child, now 45. I don't agree that the rest of the world has to make already difficult working conditions harder, we need education. I knew never to go near Indian food, I dont remember a time I didnt know this. We are the sufferers, we need to be responsible for ourselves. I have so far stayed alive and do not feel I have been restricted much at all. All the same we can all die anytime and of course it is always dreadful.”
by V, Leicester
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 1:26PM
“I have 4 children all with nut allergy. I know how hard it is to stay away from nuts. Our house is a nut free zone.”
by The Miller Family, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 11:46AM
“How very tragic! As parents of a four year old son with the same allergy our thoughts and prayers are with Danny¿s family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing his story it may help save lives.”
by Ian, Beesby, Nr. Alford. LINC'S.
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 11:18AM
“When ever I read these stories I run cold with the fear that no matter how much you tell them about not eating nuts and they know and totally understand because they have had it told to them since the age of five as my daughter has. I'am also a parent of an 18 year old girl doing her A levels with this problem and I don't know how it feels to lose some one you love so young through this and I hope I never will. However, that said I do believe that a law has to be passed and put into place ASAP to make ALL places that sell food of ANY type responsible for there goods that they sell and give clear information at point of sale as to what ingredients are contained in their food and also what it was cooked in to give them a fighting chance because with out this information what chance do they have because it seems that simple errors like this is how they are getting caught out through no fault of their own, and we are talking life and death here lets be really clear about this. The peanut allergy can and does kill, so why when we know all this the powers that be are allowing it to continue by not doing anything to stop this happing to the next young person. Why? This is NOT rocket science.”
by Ian Woolnough, Desford
Tuesday, March 10 2009, 10:05AM
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of this young man whose live was so tragically cut so short.
Perhaps there is a case for restaurants to hold Epipens for emergencies.”