View our online Press Pack. Mr Hughes ended the hearing by passing his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Whittingham. He said: "During a period of horseplay with a friend and a relative he appeared to have lost his balance, travelled through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and as he did so his head has come into contact with the steps. Whittingham, a former England U21s international, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub on March 7, 2020, where he had watched an England vs Wales rugby match with friends. The head injury he was suffered came as a result of a fall in a pub in Barry. How did Peter Whittingham die? We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.". You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. "They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time. Peter Whittingham, 35, died on March 18 last year after falling down pub stairs Father has been watching rugby with his family and friends in Barry at the time South Wales central coroner. Mr Whittingham's wife Amanda said he had not eaten since breakfast as he had been in a "rush" to watch the game when he left home at 15:00 GMT. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Peter Whittingham hit his head and tragically died after falling down a flight of stairs at a pub in a drunken 'play fight' with friends, an inquest heard. She said: I hope [our children] will be proud and comforted by their daddy's life and not overshadowed by details we are about to hear about his cruel death., Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. Mr Lewis said he went to the area and saw someone lying on the floor before calling the emergency services. Discovery Company. Whittingham suffered a subdural haematoma, where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain, as well as bleeding and swelling inside his brain, and was given palliative care before he died. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Nicholas Davison, a friend of Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said the group were in a round of drinks and drank "between six and 10 pints" and had a "round of shots" at The Park pub. Nobody did it better. Medical evidence is now being heard at the inquest. He played 66 games for Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007. He died at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, police said. Mrs Whittingham said she texted her husband at 9pm but didnt hear back and after she called later there was no answer and she fell asleep. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. This has led to a traumatic head injury.. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Whittingham had been at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff since the accident nearly two weeks ago. Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham tragically died after falling through a pub fire door and hitting his head, an inquest heard. "We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.". Mrs Whittingham was told her husband had had an accident and had a fall and was in hospital. Mr Lewis said he then went to watch the CCTV, describing seeing horse play, and said he felt satisfied there was no fight or any act of aggression. I really cannot remember anything much of what happened.. It was an act of madness but it somehow worked out. Rest in peace, Peter. Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 19, 2020, The thoughts of everyone at Rovers are with Peters wife Amanda, their young son and family at this incredibly difficult time.. My deepest sympathy to your family x Heart broken x., You my friend will received by the heavens with open arms. He also played a key hand in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time. During a period of horseplay with a friend and relative he appears to have lost his balance and gone through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and his head has come into contact with the steps.. When I looked more closely I could see he was not moving and something was wrong.. One wrote on Twitter: "Incredibly sad news. We are heartbroken. Young guy's life taken so quickly after a freak accident. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. A Warner Bros. The official England teams and English Football League Twitter accounts also paid tribute, with the latter describing Whittingham as a @CardiffCityFC and EFL legend. A club statement read: "It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs., He added: I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. Heres how it works. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Former Cardiff and Aston Villa star Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35, Peter Whittingham went on to become one of Cardiff's best ever, , really good player and was always on my signing wish list. Coroner Graeme Hughes said Whittingham had consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted on his demeanour and steadiness before he fell. The former England Under-21 international made 459 appearances and scored 98 goals for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. In his 10 years at the club, Whittingham became a firm fan favorite, making 456 appearances and scored 96 goals including 25 goals in one season from midfield. Mr Williams said: "I have no idea what happened to Peter. Whittingham is congratulated by Rickie Lambert after scoring a free kick against Sheffield Wednesday. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us., READ: Borussia Monchengladbach players offer to give up their salaries. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Whittingham died on 20 March aged 35 after suffering a head injury. Meanwhile, Cardiff released a statement, reading: It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird [Cardiff Citys nickname] he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Whittingham's brother-in-law Robert Williams said the pair and friend Ryan Taylor had been drinking lager, bitter, and tequila during the afternoon and evening. "When I looked more closely I could see he was not moving and something was wrong.. He later died at 1.51pm on March 18. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. But his real success came after transferring to Welsh side Cardiff City for 350,000 ($412,000) in 2007, according to the BBC. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Coroner Graeme Hughes, who recorded a conclusion of accidental death, said Mr Whittingham had "consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted on his demeanour and steadiness" before he fell. Tributes have poured in from the world of football following Peter Whittinghams death at the age of 35. Thoughts are with his family and friends pic.twitter.com/VnbPieSlrX. All rights reserved. CCTV footage showed him in a pub corridor engaging in "horseplay" before appearing to lose balance and walking through a fire door off camera, where he fell down eight steps and hit his head. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. A truly wonderful player, I was lucky to have spent my time on the grass with you and part of my life enjoying your dry humour. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. A medical cause of death was proposed as subdural hematoma operated. Whittingham played in two major cup finals for Cardiff - the FA Cup final in 2008 and Carling Cup final in 2012 - and won a Championship winners' medal in 2013 as Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League. A statement by Ryan Taylor is now being read to the inquest. South Wales Police released a statement on Wednesday revealing what happened after social media users had speculated about his condition. It was while at the club he met his wife, Amanda, with whom he lived in Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, with their son who was born in 2018. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that. He left the club later that year for Blackburn Rovers, where he made 20 appearances before leaving in 2018. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. His retirement came about in 2018 after a spell with Blackburn Rovers. The inquest heard Mr Whittingham underwent an emergency operation after the incident to relieve pressure on his brain and was later sent to the intensive care unit. You will receive a verification email shortly. BA1 1UA. The former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham died after falling down stairs at a pub following a drunken play fight with friends, an inquest has been told. Peter Whittingham is said to have suffered an accidental fall at a pub. I dont even remember much of the following day.". Mr Taylor said he remembered people wanting to take pictures with Mr Whittingham in the corridor but also had no memory of play fighting or the fall. Nuneaton-born Whittingham began his career at boyhood club Aston Villa and was part of the club's 2002 FA Youth Cup-winning team. Express. Over the course of the afternoon/evening he has consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted his demeanour and steadiness. Some time after 9.30pm he was in an area near the toilets and adjacent to a fire door leading to a corridor and steps and outside smoking area. Its hard to believe that he has been taken from us at such a young age. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Thoughts are with his family and friends.. DC Jenkins said it does not capture Peter Whittingham's fall but the build-up. The head injury he was suffered came as a result. "I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system is not held to account. What was his cause of death? CARDIFF legend Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35 following an accidental fall in a pub. He made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. 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