New Dad, 29, Dies Suddenly After ‘Wrong’ Diagnosis

A 29-year-old truck driver and new father died just one day after being told he had nothing more than tonsillitis — a diagnosis his grieving family says was tragically wrong.

Michael Reynolds, from Boston, Lincolnshire, sought help from doctors on November 29, 2023, for a stubborn cough and sore throat. He was given a steroid nasal spray and sent for a chest X-ray. By the next day, his condition had worsened so dramatically that he returned to the clinic, struggling to swallow and spitting saliva into a bowl.

“He told the doctor he felt like his throat was closing,” said his wife, Charlotte Reynolds. “But instead of sending him to the hospital, they said it was tonsillitis and gave him antibiotics.”

According to the family’s legal team at Irwin Mitchell, no urgent warning was given to seek emergency care — a mistake the coroner later called a “missed opportunity” that could have saved his life.

After picking up his prescription, Michael went home. The next morning, Charlotte found him having a seizure. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late — he died on December 1, 2023.

A postmortem revealed Michael had epiglottitis, a rare but life-threatening swelling of the flap covering the windpipe. The Cleveland Clinic warns that it is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital treatment. Left untreated, the swelling can block airflow within hours.

Michael’s epiglottitis caused an upper airway obstruction, leading to a hypoxic cardiac arrest — cardiac arrest from lack of oxygen.

Charlotte, now raising their 3-year-old son Jacob alone, says the pain is constant.

“Watching Jacob grow up without his daddy by his side is devastating,” she said. “Michael meant everything to us. Losing him has left a huge hole that will never go away. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”

Family attorney Rosie Charlton said the inquest confirmed the family’s fears. “This was a truly tragic and preventable death. The coroner agreed there was a failure to give clear, urgent advice for Michael to go straight to the ER.”

Before Michael’s death, Charlotte had never heard of epiglottitis. Now, she hopes sharing their story will warn others about the signs — sudden throat swelling, difficulty swallowing, and drooling — and the urgent need for immediate emergency care.

“I wouldn’t want anyone going through what we have,” she said.