A renowned young cellist passed away after eating a hamburger while on tour in Germany and experiencing anaphylactic shock.
Alexander Ngai-Jun Wu, 19, passed away in August of last year from multiple severe allergies, particularly to dairy products.
While on tour with other members of the Ealing Youth Orchestra, he’mixed’ ingredients at a McDonald‘s in Cologne, western Germany, and went into shock.
Coroner Lydia Brown told West London Coroner’s Court how the ‘outstanding musician’ immediately injected himself with his epipen after reacting to the mixture of foods, which she said had been part of a ‘team-building exercise’.
Despite the efforts of paramedics Alex died in hospital a week later.
Ms Brown said during the inquest there’d been no evidence of reckless behaviour leading to Alex’s death.
She added there were also no grounds to criticise the restaurant over its provision of allergen information.
Ms Brown said: ‘What is tragically apparent is that during the course of that lunchtime, he mingled together several food products from McDonald’s.
‘Some contained dairy food products.
‘I see it as the most awful, unfortunate incident that occurred not due to anyone’s carelessness, but simply as a consequence of an action that went so terribly and unexpectedly wrong.’
She added: ‘I hope his life can be remembered in happier times. This is an unbearable loss.’
According to an online tribute to Alex from family and friends, the young man had chosen to register as an organ donor.
His death allowed five lives to be saved, as well as restoring eyesight for two other people.
The tribute read: ‘Alex, or Jun, wholeheartedly embraced life with tremendous energy, spreading happiness through his music, his character and his humour. He was generous to his friends, family and strangers.
‘Alex managed his health challenges with great maturity and calmness. Despite the limitations these placed on him, he still maintained a buoyant and positive attitude.’
Ealing Youth Orchestra also said Alex’s fellow musicians had been ‘devasted’ by his sudden death.
A spokesperson for the orchestra said: ‘Alex was an outstanding musician and had enjoyed many previous tours with us.
‘The EYO family has been devastated by this tragedy and we continue to support Alex’s family and the orchestra and tour staff as we come to terms with this.’