Mum whose autistic son died after falling from cliff slams government for ‘ignoring’ coroner’s report

By The Newsroom

25 September 2023 at 3:01 pm·2-min read

Sammy Alban-Stanley, 13, with his mother Patricia Alban in Kent. Release date, 22/9/23. See SWNS story SWLNreport. A mum has slammed the government's response to a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report claiming it fails her autistic son who died after falling from a cliff. Patricia Alban's son Sammy Alban-Stanley, 13, fell from cliffs at Ramsgate, Kent in April 2020 after climbing over the railings. Emergency services were called and he was flown to King’s College Hospital, London, but he died of his injuries four days later. His autism meant he lacked a sense of danger and would put himself in harmful scenarios which ultimately resulted in his death. — Sammy Alban-Stanley, 13, with his mother Patricia Alban in Kent. Release date, 22/9/23. See SWNS story SWLNreport. A mum has slammed the government's response to a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report claiming it fails her autistic son who died after falling from a cliff. Patricia Alban's son Sammy Alban-Stanley, 13, fell from cliffs at Ramsgate, Kent in April 2020 after climbing over the railings. Emergency services were called and he was flown to Kings College Hospital, London, but he died of his injuries four days later. His autism meant he lacked a sense of danger and would put himself in harmful scenarios which ultimately resulted in his death.

A mother has slammed the government’s response to a coroner’s report, claiming that it ‘fails’ her autistic son, who died after falling from a cliff three years ago.

Patricia Alban’s son Sammy Alban-Stanley, 13, fell from cliffs at Ramsgate, Kent in April 2020 after climbing over the railings. Efforts were made to save his life, but he died of his injuries four days later at King’s College Hospital in London.

Sammy’s autism, as well as his Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) meant he lacked a sense of danger and would put himself in harmful situations, which ultimately lead to his death. His mother says she had inadequate support while looking after him when he was alive.

After the 13-year-old’s inquest, the coroner published a Prevention of Future Deaths report to avoid similar tragedies occurring. In response, the government said the pandemic was at fault for the lack-of-care he received.

Kelly Tolhurst, Minister of State for Schools and Childhood, said: "The situation was unprecedented and presented new and unfamiliar demands on local authorities, schools and other services.

"The department and local authorities developed and improved processes throughout the response to the pandemic."

Patricia, from Kent, said: “Losing Sammy is the most excruciating, unrelenting pain, impossible to put into words.

“To think that the coroner’s thoughtful and forensically researched Prevention of Future Deaths Report would mean other parents and children avoid going through the same agony gave me hope. Instead the coroner’s suggestions have not only been ignored but refuted."