Kevin Campbell: Major security incident involving death of ex-footballer

Serious concerns about former Arsenal and Everton footballer Kevin Campbell’s hospital care have been flagged by a health trust, an inquest has heard.

Mr Campbell, 54, died at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) on June 15 after being admitted a month earlier.

Coroner Zach Kolombeck said Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, had declared a level 5 patient safety incident – the most serious – about aspects of her care.

He said the provisional cause of Mr Campbell’s death was multi-organ failure due to a heart infection.

No family members were present at Manchester Coroner’s Court as Mr Kolombek outlined background details during the opening of Thursday’s inquest.

He said Mr Campbell was admitted for an MRI on May 15.

„He was declared fit and well until January 2024, when he was hospitalized prior to this final admission,” the coroner said.

Mr Kolombek said the health trust had declared a Level 5 incident related to concerns about delays in aspects of Mr Campbell’s care and diagnosis and decision-making processes about palliative care.

Mr Kolombek said the trust was conducting an internal investigation and would have further evidence, including an investigation report, witness statements from doctors and a statement from Mr Campbell’s next of kin.

He said: „I have received notification from the trust that a medical cause of death can be provided, so I will consider the cause of death from the doctors involved in Mr Campbell’s care.

„The provisional cause of death, as it stands, indicates death from multiple organ failure as a result of infective endocarditis.”

He said final determinations about the medical cause of death and the care Mr Campbell received „will be made as part of the inquest process”.

The hearing has been adjourned for the afternoon.

Mr Campbell’s 24-year-old son Tyrese, who plays for Stoke City, tweeted at his father’s death: „The pain is indescribable, as a son you see your dad as invincible.”

„He was the life and soul of every party and room he graced, a one-in-a-million person loved by all.”

Kevin Campbell has scored 148 goals in 542 matches.

He won four major trophies with Arsenal and also played for Everton, Leyton Orient, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Trabzonspor, Cardiff and West Bromwich Albion.