Teenage kickboxer, 15, collapsed and died from traumatic brain injury after taking part in unsanctioned fight, inquest told

A 15-year-old boy suffered a head injury and died just days after competing in an unsanctioned kickboxing match.

Alex Eastwood became seriously unwell after fighting in three two-minute rounds against an opponent at a kickboxing competition in Wigan on June 29, 2024. 

Despite wearing safety equipment, the schoolboy became unresponsive after the fight and suffered a seizure. 

Alex was rushed to hospital where a CT scan showed he had a significant bleed on the brain. He underwent surgery but his condition deteriorated and he died on July 2.

The promising star had already achieved a black belt and was due to compete in the kickboxing World Championships in October 2024. 

Alex was also a hero outside the sporting world, having saved the lives of seven children after donating his organs to them following his death. 

Coroner Michael Pemberton called for new regulations surrounding child safety in combat sports following Alex’s tragic death and, in a rare move has called on the government to introduce new universal guidelines. 

Alex’s heartbroken family thanked the coroner for the highlighting the ‘serious safeguarding issues surrounding child combat sports’ and hoped the inquest would lead to ‘meaningful changes’ to protect young athletes. 

The promising star had already achieved a black belt and was due to compete in the kickboxing World Championships in October 2024

Typically, coroners do not write Prevention of Future Deaths reports until after an inquest, however Mr Pemberton has issued his before Alex’s inquest because of the risk to children.

Mr Pemberton wrote to the Department For Culture, Media And Sport – led by Lisa Nandy – which has until May 9 to respond. 

In his letter, Mr Pemberton said: ‘Alex wore safety equipment including a head guard and gloves. The fight lasted 3 x 2 minute rounds

‘At the end of the contest, he appeared unwell and became unresponsive apparently suffering a seizure.

‘Medical assistance at the match was summoned and paramedics were called.

‘He was taken by ambulance to Wigan Royal Albert & Edward Infirmary where a CT scan showed he had a significant bleed on the brain.

‘He was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in a critical condition and underwent surgery to relieve intracranial pressure, but unfortunately further bleeds developed and despite maximal medical intervention he deteriorated and was declared deceased on 2 July 2024.’

‘During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern’, Mr Pemberton said.

Alex died at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (pictured) on July 2, 2024, after falling ill following the match

‘In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.’

Mr Pemberton said, currently, unofficial or unsanctioned matches have no ‘baseline or minimum standards’ for safeguarding to prevent youngsters from getting hurt.

Outlining the concerns, he said: ‘During the current course of investigation, it is apparent that there is no guidance or regulation of contact sports involving children’s participation.

‘This is important, because no baseline or minimum standards of what safeguarding or necessary risk management is set out for those who plan or organise an ‘official’ or ‘unofficial’ match where physical force may be used between or against a child participant.

‘Under current circumstance, arrangements for each, and every contact sport contest involving a child, is left to the judgement of an organiser who may have recourse to principles provided by a sports association, if the match is to meet official status.

‘If a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline of what minimum standards must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant.’

He said there is ‘no minimum standard of what medical support may be required’, no ‘maximum rounds or periods of rest’, a lack of ‘welfare checks on participants being undertaken’, and ‘no risk assessment and critical incident plan’.

Mr Pemberton added: ‘In the current investigation, these concerns relate to the sport of kickboxing, but the identified issues appear to be of wider significance in terms of ‘contact’ sports involving children.’