When Bethan James was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in early February 2020, no one expected how quickly her health would take a devastating turn.
Bethan, just 21 years old and a journalism student, was the daughter of former England and Glamorgan cricketer Steve James.
Her sudden and rapid deterioration left doctors stunned and ultimately led to her passing just hours after admission.
The Doctor’s Account of a Rapidly Worsening Condition
Dr. Duncan Thomas, who cared for Bethan during those critical hours, told the coroner’s court how he was “astounded” by how fast her condition worsened.
Speaking at the South Wales Central Coroner’s Court, Dr. Thomas described Bethan’s decline as unlike anything he had seen before in someone so young.
“At one point, while I was attending another emergency, I was informed of her deteriorating state,” he said.
“When I returned, Bethan was visibly distressed — clinging to her mother and looking extremely unwell.
I honestly thought she could go into cardiac arrest very soon.”
Questions Raised About Early Medical Response
During the inquest, there was discussion about whether Bethan’s care could have been handled differently, especially before she arrived at the hospital.
Dr. Thomas expressed frustration that she hadn’t been taken directly to the resuscitation area, which is reserved for the most critically ill patients.
He also mentioned that paramedics had not provided the hospital with an early warning — known as a “pre-alert” — about her condition.
Despite these concerns, Dr. Thomas was clear that even with earlier intervention, it was unlikely Bethan could have been saved.
By the time she reached the hospital, multiple organs had already been severely damaged.
The Medical Cause Behind the Tragedy
A post-mortem examination revealed that Bethan died from sepsis and pneumonia, complicated by Crohn’s disease — a chronic inflammatory bowel condition she had been diagnosed with just the previous year.
Dr. Anurag Joshi, the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem, explained that Crohn’s can weaken the immune system, making patients more vulnerable to severe infections.
Interestingly, Dr. Thomas pointed out that Bethan’s sepsis was viral rather than bacterial.
This meant the antibiotics administered would not have been effective in stopping the progression of her illness.
The Emotional Impact on Medical Staff
The doctor treating Bethan shared how deeply her death affected him and the hospital staff.
“It was profoundly upsetting,” he said.
“I wish there had been something more we could do.”
Bethan’s case has highlighted the unpredictable nature of severe infections in young people and has raised important questions about emergency care procedures.
What’s Next in the Investigation
The inquest into Bethan James’s death is ongoing, as authorities continue to examine all aspects of her medical care and the circumstances that led to her untimely passing.