Binge-drink warning after mother’s death

Happier times . . . Toni Matthews with her son Dylan Burnett

A CORONER has warned of the dangers of binge-drinking after a young mum who drank twice a week collapsed and died.

An inquest heard the sudden death of Toni Matthews (26), of Tennyson Street, Watersheddings, was caused by a fatty liver — the result of alcohol and being overweight.

Her family described her as a social drinker who drank up to half a regular bottle of vodka twice a week while at home with friends. She had been slim but had weight problems after having children and had gone up to (119kg) 181/2 stone.

Coroner Simon Nelson said people did not appreciate the harmful consequences of social drinking and they would be horrified by the number of deaths he saw on a weekly basis where alcohol was a factor. Miss Matthews’s death was one of the youngest he has dealt with but the number was ever increasing.

The full-time mum lived with her partner Tim Burnett and children Dylan (5) and Reice (3). She had been fit and well but dropped off one of her children with family on January 24 after complaining of feeling tired, so she could have a relaxing night in.

But after popping out to the shop she collapsed on the floor where Mr Burnett found her semi-conscious. She died at the Royal Oldham Hospital just over an hour later.

A post-mortem examination found no traces of alcohol or drugs but ruled the cause of death was a fatty liver, where liver cells are replaced with fat cells.

Pathologist Dr Kweku Baiden-Amissah said her weight and past history of alcohol intake were the causes, while the intake of the contraceptive pill through injection could possibly have contributed.

He said the condition can develop quickly, taking between a month and a year, adding: “By the time she complained of feeling tired it was already too late. It’s a well known fact that people with fatty liver can drop dead. She was only young. It’s very sad.”

Symptoms include tiredness, jaundice, fatigue and headaches but a blood test can detect problems.

Referring to the recent news that Prof David Nutt had been sacked as chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs after saying cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, he added: “We all hear about binge-drinking and we all need to be careful and control our drinking.”

He said childhood obesity was also a health issue and advised people to watch their weight and drinking, exercise regularly and go to the doctor for a check-up if feeling unwell.

The family were concerned that it took 25 minutes for an ambulance to arrive and that a paramedic first on the scene could do nothing to help.

But Mr Nelson said a 20-minute factor would not have averted death.

Recording a verdict of natural causes, he said: “The untimely death is desperately sad not only by her age but that she leaves two very young children.

“I appreciate that for many of Toni’s age that amount of alcohol would not appear excessive but if you look at the guidance offered it would be regarded as highly excessive. It’s a question of perception and education.”

Miss Matthews’s step-father Peter Dalton said he did not think she drank too much but urged people to heed the warnings.

He added: “It was just so sudden, I never expected anything like that. All she lived for was to be a mother. She idolised and doted on her children. She was a happy-go-lucky lady and an excellent daughter. She would do anything for anyone.”