Boy bled to death after surgery pierced artery coroner rules

The parents of a three-year-old boy who died from severe bleeding after his artery was pierced during surgery said they spent 12 months fighting for answers about what happened.

Aarav Chopra, from Wolverhampton, suffered a build-up of blood in his chest which went "undiagnosed and untreated" during a liver test by a trainee at Birmingham Children's Hospital in 2023,  Birmingham and Solihull coroner, Louise Hunt, said.

After she found his death was preventable, Aarav's parents, Kishore and Amrita Chopra said the outcome confirmed their fears about their son's care and also shattered their trust.

Kishore and Amrita Chopra said their son had a liver transplant in 2023 but suffered complications and showed symptoms of rejecting the donated organ.

He was admitted to the hospital three months later for a biopsy, a medical test to take a small sample of body tissue for examination.

His parents said the transplant was "supposed to be a new beginning, a new chance for him to live a better life. We never expected that he would never come home."

In a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report Ms Hunt’s raised several concerns including about the experience and competence of trainees in the hospital and the use of consent forms, because Aarav's parents were unaware a trainee would do the biopsy.

She also said a hospital meeting after Aarav's death was inadequate and there was "no immediate learning from this tragedy."

The coroner concluded Aarav Chopra died from a cardiac arrest caused by severe bleeding when his artery was damaged and neglect contributed to his death.

The three-year-old's parents said for 12 months after his death, they raised concerns about "a lack of clarity and transparency" at the hospital.

They said they learned a trainee doctor was involved only through a video recording of a meeting that was given to them nine months after Aarav died.

They added: "The inquest has vindicated our concerns but has also deeply upset us. The hospital's lack of accountability has completely shattered our trust."

Describing Aarav as a courageous little boy and "a happy soul with the most beautiful smile", they added: "Knowing that Aarav's death was preventable had appropriate action been taken makes the situation even harder to accept."

Chief medical officer at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Trust, Dr Satish Rao, said it was clear "the standards of care provided did not meet those expected and, for this, we are truly sorry.

"Following the inquest, and our own review in 2024, changes were made to our processes to improve patient care.”

The trust also said the trainee involved was under the direct supervision of a consultant at all times.