Coroner urges national ECG screening in sports after teenager’s death in Peterborough
Christian Hobbs, 17, died from an undiagnosed heart condition despite regular boxing medicals
Last updated 22nd Apr 2025
A coroner has called for government-funded ECG screening in contact sports after the death of 17-year-old amateur boxer Christian Hobbs from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Christian died at Peterborough City Hospital on 26 December 2017 from complications arising from arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart’s rhythm. He was registered with England Boxing, trained at Heart of England Community Boxing Club, and had regular annual medicals as required by the sport's governing body. These did include some heart-related checks like a stethoscope auscultation.
Mr David Heming, Senior Coroner for Cambridgeshire, said a national ECG screening programme is needed to prevent future deaths. His prevention of future deaths report raised 18 concerns about Christian’s hospital care.
Christian was taken to hospital on Christmas Day with a dangerously high heart rate of 240 beats per minute. An ECG at 18:07 showed abnormalities, but no action was taken. He was not referred for an urgent echocardiogram, and the cardiology team was not involved.
A chest X-ray was done at 18:55, but no CT scan was requested. Christian went into cardiac arrest at 20:09 and died later that night. He was not transferred to intensive care.
The coroner criticised the lack of a clear care plan, poor communication between teams, and the absence of retained emergency alarm data. He also questioned the decision to give large volumes of fluid without a written plan, which may have worsened Christian’s condition.
His report was sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and North West Anglia NHS Trust – who we have contacted for comment.
A government spokesperson said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Christian’s family and friends in this tragic case. We consider every Prevention of Future Deaths report carefully and will respond in due course.”