A former England cricketer has revealed his devastating regret about the last time he saw his daughter before she died in hospital.
Bethan, the daughter of former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James, was just 21 when she died in February 2020. Mr James, a highly respected sports journalist, was away covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when his daughter was taken seriously ill, and was left unable to get home and see her before she passed away because of weather disruption.
A pre-inquest review hearing in Pontypridd, South Wales held yesterday heard her medical cause of death was likely sepsis. Speaking two years ago about her death, Steve recalled the last time he said goodbye to his daughter as he left for work - and shared one thing about that moment that he still regrets.
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He said: "When I left, I didn’t actually go up and see Bethan, I shouted to her and said ‘goodbye’ from downstairs. The next time I see her she’s lying dead in a hospital. That’s something that’s going to stay with me for the rest of my life."
Shortly after Bethan died on February 9, 2020 Steve paid tribute to her on Facebook. The former Glamorgan cricketer wrote at the time: "We have the most indescribably devastating news that our beautiful daughter Bethan suddenly passed away on Saturday evening. Our hearts are broken. She was the most wonderfully caring and kind daughter and sister to Rhys."
An inquest, presided over by area coroner Patricia Morgan, will look into the circumstances of how Bethan died. This will include her medical history, her care and treatment under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board between January 27 and February 9, 2020, and her transfer from home to hospital on February 8.
The inquest will also scrutinise potential delays related to her admission - firstly regarding her transfer to hospital via ambulance and secondly her admission into the hospital, Wales Online reports. During the pre-inquest review, the coroner discussed the necessary evidence and witnesses with representatives of Bethan's family, CAVUHB and the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust. Potential dates for the conclusion of the inquest were discussed, ranging from early to mid-2025, but no specific date was confirmed.
