Cason's family heartbroken after Christmas Day tragedy

Cason Hallwood suffered a severe anaphylactic shock after grandad Albert had coated a gammon joint with peanut butter, inadvertently forgetting about his allergy, an inquest heard on Monday.

The 12-year-old fell ill after going out to play with friends on Wharton Recreation Ground and died suddenly on Christmas Day last year, despite paramedics' valiant efforts to save him.

After the hearing, Winsford mum-of-four Louise, from Wharton Gardens, said: "We don't hold any blame, it could have happened to any of us.

"As a family we are all very close and we will always be together to help one another.

Cason was known fondly as 'Ginge' by family and friends because of his red hair

"Cason had a big heart and was our little legend. We will always keep his memory alive."

Cason's grandad Albert told Warrington Coroners Court that he and his wife had invited Louise, Cason and his three brothers to a festive family lunch.

In a statement, he said: "I prepared a gammon joint with a peanut glaze. I'd completely forgotten about Cason's nut allergy.

"As a family we are heartbroken by the loss of Cason. Life will never be the same again."

Cason Hallwood was a pupil at Winsford Academy

Cason had spent the previous two Christmases in hospital due to asthma, GP Dr Judith Price told the hearing, but was keen to remain at home after his asthma flared up again on December 17.

Medication was prescribed and Cason had previously been given an epinephrine pen after being diagnosed with a nut allergy.

Louise told the hearing her family had shared a lovely Christmas meal. She said: "Cason licked his plate clean, he enjoyed it that much.

Cason, third from left, with brothers Cowen, Caiden and Corley, sporting their Liverpool shirts

"He was a live wire child and didn't want to sit around and watch telly and asked if he could go out and play with his mates."

Ten minutes later, he rang for his inhaler and one of his brothers cycled to the park with it.

Shortly afterwards, Cason called again in distress.

"I knew something was wrong," said Louise. "I ran to the park. His eyes were all puffy and he couldn't breathe. He was really struggling to speak. I used the epi pen but it made no difference whatsoever."

An ambulance arrived at 3.33pm and paramedics fought for an hour to resuscitate Cason but without success.

Senior paramedic Darren Hatton said: "Cason was in cardiac arrest, he could not breathe and his heart had stopped."

Cason was taken to Leighton Hospital where doctors and nurses continued to try and revive him, but sadly, he died at 6.15pm.

Paediatric pathologist Dr William Simmons, who carried out a post mortem examination, found that the cause of death was anaphylactic shock, a severe sudden allergic reaction which had triggered a severe asthma attack and the collapse of both lungs.

Dr Simmons added: "It is unlikely any intervention would have saved him."

Cason had a funeral fit for a prince after the local community rallied round and raised £15,000

Alan Moore, senior coroner for Cheshire, concluded that Cason died as a result of a tragic accident.

He said: "This is a heartbreaking story. As a family you have displayed throughout courage and dignity on a scale I have never seen before.

"I was the coroner on duty on Christmas Day and my heart went out to you all. I couldn't imagine what you were going through.

"May I offer my condolences to you all on your sad loss."