The death of a student killed in the Nottingham attacks was "potentially preventable," a public inquiry has heard. Barnaby Webber, along with Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates, was stabbed to death on 13 June 2023 by Valdo Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020.
On Tuesday, ahead of closing statements to the Nottingham Inquiry, the hearing was told that a "more rapid administration of blood products" could have increased Barnaby's chances of reaching the hospital with enough of a heartbeat to undergo surgery. A panel of medical professionals assessed the emergency medical response on the day of the attacks to evaluate "survivability." The panel noted the hard work of the emergency responders in their care of the victims but concluded that Barnaby had a less than 50% chance of surviving his injuries, characterising his death as "potentially preventable." Conversely, the panel determined that the deaths of Grace and Ian were "not preventable."
The medical panel found that even if blood products had been administered to Barnaby earlier and more rapidly, multiple other rapid and particular steps would have had to take place for him to have survived. As these assessments were read out by Rachel Langdale KC, counsel to the inquiry, the families of the victims sobbed, and Grace's father, Dr Sanjoy Kumar, left the hearing room. Following the attacks, large parts of Nottingham were cordoned off by police.
The Nottingham Inquiry began hearing evidence in February, with more than 100 witnesses questioned over three months. Those who gave evidence included police staff and officers, mental healthcare practitioners, Calocane's former flatmates and family members, the bereaved families, and the survivors of the attacks. A number of revelations emerged during this evidence regarding errors in Calocane's care, his previous interactions with the police, and failings both during and in the aftermath of the attacks.
Calocane, who also seriously injured three other people in the attacks, is currently serving an indefinite hospital order in a high-security facility after pleading guilty to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and to three counts of attempted murder.
The inquiry is currently hearing updates in evidence since the end of oral evidence earlier this year. These further updates will be followed by closing statements, which will serve as the final oral submissions to the chair, retired senior judge Deborah Taylor KC. On Tuesday, Taylor said it was "disappointing" that over the break, evidence had emerged which "ought to have been identified" and disclosed earlier. She directed core participants to provide any corrections to errors or omissions by no later than 31 December.
The proceedings have highlighted the immense ongoing pain of the families. One victim's mother shared their dread of the future, saying, "We'll crumble when inquiry ends." The fallout from the tragedy also continues to expand, as the Nottingham attacks NHS trust faces a manslaughter probe. Reflecting on the painful process, families have described experiencing a "hideous revelation each day" as the attacks hearings end.
