Five-year-old Benedict Blythe adored school—so much that he wept when he couldn’t attend on weekends. But in December 2021, the very place he loved failed him catastrophically.
An inquest concluded this week that Benedict died from anaphylaxis after likely consuming cow’s milk protein in what should have been a safe cup of oat milk. Critical errors were made: his milk was prepared in the staff room instead of his classroom, risking contamination. Staff also hesitated before using his EpiPen.
“No more children should die from allergies at school,” his devastated mother, Helen, said after the verdict. The family’s campaign, #ProtectPupilsWithAllergies, has gained momentum as parents nationwide demand stricter protocols.
In a heartbreaking parallel, another family mourns four-year-old Maverick Flinn, killed in a farming accident in Indiana. Both tragedies underscore how quickly joy can turn to unimaginable loss—and how communities must come together to prevent future heartbreak.
