It read: "At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry. Mr Davison said: "All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.. On Wednesday, 18 March 2020, South Wales Police released the following statement: "At around . Im proud to have played alongside you and will always remember the young vs old games and you just running the show. Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News "I walked over to him to offer my hand, thinking he would just take it and I would help him back up to his feet. "This has led to a traumatic head injury.". Its a journalists duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. A coroner said that "during a period of horseplay" with a friend and his brother-in-law Mr Whittingham "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. Did you encounter any technical issues? He did not regain consciousness and died in hospital 11 days later. Mr Taylor said he was with the pair in the corridor that led to the beer garden area outside the Park Pub. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. "At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall. Taylor said he recalled people wanting to take photographs with Whittingham in the pub corridor, which led to steps taking guests to an external smoking area, but also said he had no memory of play fighting or Whittingham falling before he noticed him on the ground. Former Villa star Peter Whittingham died after pub fall One wrote on Twitter: "Incredibly sad news. She said she woke at around midnight to find her mum banging on her door. Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham tragically died after falling through a pub fire door and hitting his head, an inquest heard. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Peter Whittingham, 35, died when he fell down pub stairs "I can also confirm I cannot remember seeing Pete fall, and only remember seeing him laying on the ground.". He later died at 1.51pm on March 18, the inquest hears. I really cannot remember anything much of what happened.. The ex-footballer had been in hospital for over a week prior to his death. "Its hard to believe that he has been taken from us at such a young age. The inquest heard that several pints and shots were consumed by the group at the Park pub. The dad-of-two fell down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry on March 7 - the day of England's Six Nations clash with Wales - and was left with devastating head injuries. 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. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos. Alan Lewis, general manager of the Park Hotel since October 2019, described the day Peter Whittingham fell as very busy due to the rugby international match. Match of the Day: What fans can expect as show returns this weekend. Young guy's life taken so quickly after a freak accident. The Police said in a further statement on Thursday that a file of evidence is being prepared for the coroner. The ex-Aston Villa player had been in hospital for more than a week after suffering a head injury in a fall in a pub in. Peter Whittingham suffered a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel pub on March 7, 2020; he died in hospital 11 days later after failing to regain consciousness; the coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. After leaving the Welsh capital in 2017, he spent a season at Blackburn Rovers before retiring in 2018. Unconfirmed rumours had claimed the former star ended up in hospital following an incident in the Park pub in Barry on March 7 - the same day as England vs Wales in the Six Nations. After leaving Cardiff in 2017, Mr Whittingham, originally from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, ended his career with Blackburn Rovers in 2018 before moving back to south Wales. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us., Were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Whittingham, who made 17 appearances for our Under-21s between 2004 and 2007.Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "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.". Discovery Company. First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. Tributes paid to Peter Whittingham after death at 35 He left the club in 2017 for Blackburn Rovers, where he made 20 appearances. She is expecting their second child. Read about our approach to external linking. In a statement read to the hearing, Mr Williams said: "I would say that we were all drunk by the night. The inquest into his death held at Pontypridd heard that Whittingham underwent an emergency operation to relieve pressure on his brain and was later sent to an intensive care unit. The couple were expecting their second child when Whittingham died, with their newest son born two months after the incident in May 2020. Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected. Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird [Cardiff Citys nickname] he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Changed your mind? Thoughts go out to his family.". He said they had between six and 10 pints and a round of shots at the pub, adding: All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. The Cardiff favourite retired from the pro game in 2017 after an impressive career that also included spells at Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers. Mr Hughes recorded the date of death as March 18 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the cause of death as subdural hematoma (operated). "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. The official England teams and English Football League Twitter accounts also paid tribute, with the latter describing Whittingham as a @CardiffCityFC and EFL legend. Nobody did it better. RIP". The ex-Bluebirds midfielder, who died last year aged 35 and is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. When I looked more closely at Peter, I could see he wasn't moving and something was wrong," he told the court. 2. 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. "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. But it was with the Welsh side that his talents really shone, becoming one of their most consistent performers between 2007 and 2017. How did Peter Whittingham die? An ex-Cardiff City player hit his head and died after falling down stairs at a pub in a pretend fight with friends, an inquest heard. 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. The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. He is believed to have fallen down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry and was left. Ex-Chelsea ace Costa carried off with serious-looking injury for Wolves vs Spurs, Cherries take shock lead at Arsenal after 9 SECONDS with 'kick-off glitch', Moment Aston Villa's Leon Bailey inhales 'laughing gas' after all night party, 'Professional boxer' Paul teases announcement with hilarious video after Fury loss, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Whittingham had been at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff since the accident nearly two weeks ago. Mr Taylor said he recalled people wanting to take photographs with Whittingham in the pub corridor, which led to steps taking guests to an external smoking area, but also said he had no memory of "play fighting" or Whittingham falling before he noticed him on the ground. 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. Whittinghams wife Amanda is currently pregnant. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others lives. "Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, who played for the club. 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He described a general confusion as nobody knew how Mr Whittingham had been knocked out. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in horseplay with the pair in a corridor, before he appeared to lose his balance and walked through a fire door off-camera and fell down eight steps and hit his head just after 9.30pm. "A 35-year-old man from Penarth suffered a head injury as a result of a fall and remains at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Former Cardiff City, Aston Villa and Blackburn midfielder Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35 after suffering a head injury from a fall in a pub earlier this month. . I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Whittingham, said Solskjaer, who was Cardiff manager in 2014. Peter Whittingham inquest hears Cardiff legend died after tragic pub I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs.. Mr Hughes passed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Whittingham as he ended the hearing. You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Bodycam footage of the aftermath of the incident captured Mr Taylor saying friendly banter when asked by an officer how he had fallen. 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. Peter Whittingham was a Cardiff City "legend", who "could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality". Whittingham, 35, suffered a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel pub in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, on 7 March 2020, and died in hospital 11 days later after failing to regain consciousness. He said they had between six and 10 pints and a round of shots at the pub, adding: All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". Solskjaer added: "I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during my time at Cardiff City. Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. Heres how it works. Former Derby County midfielder Peter Whittingham died after pub fall The coroners court in Pontypridd, south Wales, heard the former England Under-21 international had gone drinking with his wifes brother and a friend to watch last years England v Wales Six Nations match. You will receive a verification email shortly. Coroner Graeme Hughes has recorded an accidental death conclusion. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Peter Whittingham started his career at Aston Villa before joining Cardiff FC in 2007, The midfielder played for Cardiff until 2017, Tributes left outside Cardiff City stadium for Peter Whittingham. Peter Whittingham dies in hospital after 35-year-old Cardiff legend She adds they married in 2015. "Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time. Whittingham burst onto the scene with Villa before making his name at Cardiff where he helped them win promotion to the Premier League in 2013. There was a problem. Wittingham started his career with Aston Villa before joining Cardiff in 2007. Cardiff said they were "heartbroken" in a statement on their website. Peter Whittingham inquest hears former Blackburn Rovers player died 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. In his statement Mr Taylor said he must have been referring to the play fight. 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.. "The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. He led the Bluebirds to the Premier League for the first time in 2013 and also helped them to the FA Cup final in 2008 and League Cup final in 2012. He made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. He said: I walked over to him to offer my hand, thinking he would just take it and I would help him back up to his feet. He had been off sedative drugs for a number of days by March 17 but neurological recovery remained poor and he later died at 1.51pm on March 18. Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest is told "This has led to a traumatic head injury.". FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadnt even qualified for. Ryan Taylor, who was out drinking with Mr Williams and Mr Whittingham at the time, said in a statement: I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. On Wednesday, South Wales Police had released a statement detailing an accident that had occurred in Barry after rumours of Whittingham's death on social media users began to circulate. He left Cardiff for Blackburn Rovers in 2017, before having his contract terminated just over a year later. He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but his condition deteriorated and he died on 18 March. The hearing was told how Whittingham had been on an all-day drinking session while watching Wales vs. England in the Six Nations. His languid style, his talented left foot former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann referred to as one of the best left pegs Ive seen and his uncanny ability to score long-range goals helped Cardiff reach the 2008 FA Cup final and the 2012 League Cup final. It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. "Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the incident.". 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Former Cardiff midfielder fell down stairs at a pub last March, Inquest hears he was drinking with brother-in-law and friend. Peter Whittingham died on 17 March 2020 at the age of 35, according to Transfermarkt. He died. He was rushed to hospital but failed to regain consciousness, sadly passing away 11 days later. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. FourFourTwo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Just shows how precious life is. A number of Mr Whittinghams family are listening to the inquest remotely including his wife, brother, and sister. But he said the evening was a blackout, and had no memory of the former footballer falling. Whittingham began his career at his boyhood club Aston Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007. Tributes have poured in from the world of football following Peter Whittingham's death at the age of 35.The former Cardiff playmaker suffered head injuries at a pub in Barry on March 7 from what Sou Peter Whittingham's pub stairs fall death 'accidental' - BBC News Manchester United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - his former boss at Cardiff - paid tribute to Whittingham, calling him a "fantastic footballer and incredible human being". More info. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Peter Whittingham is critical in hospital, say police, Peter Whittingham is said to have suffered an accidental fall at a pub, Peter Whittingham's greatest goals for Cardiff City, Whittingham spent the best part of his career at Cardiff, The midfielder enjoyed a highly successful playing career, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. "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. Mrs Whittingham gave birth to their second son two months after his death. Blackburn said: Rovers are deeply saddened to learn the news that former midfielder Peter Whittingham has passed away, aged 35. The former Aston Villa youth player's pal said he fell in the corridor leading to the beer garden. Mr Williams said: I cannot remember any of the specific events of the play fight that is captured in the CCTV footage. She said she woke at around midnight to find her mum banging on her door. A medical cause of death was proposed as subdural hematoma operated. Whittingham played in the FA Cup final in 2008 and the Carling Cup final in 2012, and collected a Championship winners medal in 2013 as Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League. I dont even remember much of the following day.". 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. All rights reserved. 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. Then, as a professional footballer - as a Bluebird - he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. The dad-of-two fell down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry on March 7 - the day of England's Six Nations clash with Wales - and was left with devastating head injuries. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the games biggest names, insightful analysis and a bit of a giggle.