Wolverhampton police officer killed by septic shock on ski trip
A police officer from South Staffordshire suffered septic shock and died two days into a skiing holiday with colleagues in France, an inquest heard.
Pc Richard Williams, who lived in Featherstone, had been complaining of headaches and stomach pains after arriving in Val d'Isere in January, the hearing in Walsall was told yesterday.
The 32-year-old, who worked as a response officer in Wolverhampton, was admitted to a hospital's intensive therapy unit but he died the next morning – before his father Nicholas and younger brother Andrew had chance to get to his bedside.
Pc Williams, of Speedwell Gardens, had been a police officer for almost 10 years and was part of a group of about 70 people from the West Midlands police force who had gone on the skiing trip.
The inquest heard that he flew out on January 19 and texted his mother Carol, saying the flight and long coach journey had been tiring. After saying he felt ill, he stayed in bed on the morning of January 21 while his roommate went skiing.
When his roommate came back in the afternoon, Pc Williams was drifting in and out of consciousness and paramedics were called.
The former student of Wolgarston High School, Penkridge, was taken to hospital but died the next morning. The cause of death was found to be septic shock caused by myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart often due to infection – and acute bronchoalveolitis, which is inflammation of the passageways of the lungs.
The funeral for Pc Williams, a Wolves season ticket holder, took place on March 1 at St Paul's Church in Coven, where he grew up.
His mother Carol, 58, of Coven, told the inquest he had been looking forward to the holiday and it had been difficult to accept what had happened because he had been fit and well.
Coroner Robin Balmain, recording a verdict that death was due to natural causes, told the family: "It is a great shock.
"It is unusual for someone so fit and healthy. I'm really sorry this has happened to you.
"It's not the natural order of things. It's not for parents to survive their children."
Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Williams said: "Richard was so full of life. For him suddenly to go like this, it's totally unbelievable. He was kind and loving. He loved it when we were all together. He was just lovely and perfect. He lived life and loved life."
Pc Williams, a former Brewood Middle School pupil, had also enjoyed playing golf and had been on skiing trips in the past with colleagues.
His brother Andrew, 29, of Coven, said: "We've had a lot of support from close family, the community and the police. It's been quite touching."
