A BELOVED teacher died after hitting his head while putting on his trainers to go to work, an inquest has been told.
Patrick Guthrie, 31, was found wearing one shoe in the living room of his home by his sister Patricia, St Pancras Coroner’s in was told.
She told the inquest she had received two voicemails from his school alerting her that he hadn’t attended classes for two days, prompting her to visit his home.
Patricia then discovered the English and film studies teacher dead at the flat in Islington, north London.
Patrick had been a teacher at Hendon School since September 2023 and was said to have “immediately impressed”;; staff when he joined.
However, the school alerted his family on December 4, 2024, that he had not been at work and hadn’t contacted them about it.
Patricia said she had been “really concerned”;; when the reached out as it was “very unlike Patrick”;; to not turn up – telling the court that he “never missed work”;;.
The court also heard that the flat was deadlocked from the inside, with Patricia discovering Patrick lying on the living room floor with his head against a wall and his neck hyperextended.
Sgt Kevin Clark, who attended the address, noted a crack to the wall where it recessed into a window – which is consistent with Patrick having tragically falling and hitting his head against it.
A rucksack filled with work notes was also discovered in the kitchen of the property.
Sgt Clark told the court: “My opinion was that this was Mr Guthrie’s work stuff and that he was preparing to go to work.”;;
On top of this, one of Patrick’s trainers was on his foot while the other was off, indicating that he could have been putting them on while he fell.
An autopsy carried out by Dr Liina Palm, consultant in histopathology at Great Ormond Street Hospital, found two areas of external injury – a large bruise to the left side of Patrick’s forehead and bruising on his lower shin.
The court was also told there was evidence of trauma to the teacher’s brain and that it was heavier than expected, indicating that swelling could have occured.
While his heart was normal, Dr Joseph Westaby, of St George’s Hospital said that – where the heart beats irregularly and causes cardiac arrest – could not be ruled out.
Dr Palm said she considered this may have happened because there were no protective marks found on the body – and these usually occur when a conscious person falls and tries to break their collapse by putting their arms out.
FRACTURED FOOT THEORY
Patrick had suffered a fractured foot in February 2024, which helped prompt the theory that he fell while putting his trainers on, due to pain from the healing .
However, Dr Palm said: “It’s very difficult to support this theory that somebody fully conscious wouldn’t try to break their fall.”;;
She gave his causes of death as a brain injury, positional asphyxia, and SADS.
A toxicology report was completely clear – except for caffeine, which again suggested Patrick may have been leaving for work.
Patricia told the court the family were undergoing testing to see if there was a genetic cause for the SADS.
She added: “It was such a shock, for someone that was so healthy.”;;
A conclusion of natural causes was recorded by the assistant coroner for Inner North London, Ian Potter.
He said: “He likely had a form of acute cardiac arrhythmia causing him to fall as a result of losing consciousness.”;;
Hendon School said at the time of Patrick’s death that he was known for his “diligent, hard work.”;;
The school added: “Patrick loved being a teacher. He saw English teaching as more than just a job – it was a vocation.
“Our thoughts are obviously with Patrick’s family at this difficult time.
“It is hard to imagine the shock and grief that his mother, sister and extended family must be experiencing at losing such an essentially kind and decent son, brother and uncle.
“It has been especially touching to see the reaction of the students to this sad event.”;;
In an emotional tribute, the school continued: “Their moments of reflection and the numerous, heartfelt additions to the book of condolence are evidence of what the staff here have always known: Hendon School students are genuinely kind and caring.
“They are the reason why the staff here work so hard. Patrick knew this. And no one worked harder than Patrick.”;;
