Tragic Death of Bristol Dad Suffering From Brain Tumour
In a heartbreaking incident, a dad who had been battling with a brain tumour for four years, tragically passed away while on a holiday with his fiancée and their two young sons. The victim, identified as Robert Channelle, 34, was staying at Twitchen House Holiday Park in Woolacombe, Devon when he met with the unfortunate accident. The family was otherwise having an enjoyable time celebrating an anniversary with other family members.
Incident Explained
The gathering involved a lovely stroll and a night out, with Robert sleeping separately from his partner Nicole that night. The next morning bore the grim news of Robert’s death. He had been found lodged in a small space between the bed and the caravan's wall following a seizure. Despite resuscitation attempts, Robert was unable to be revived, as heard at the inquest at Exeter Coroner's Court on Monday.
Devon Live reports mention no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragic event. A post-mortem established the cause of death as a seizure, a consequence of his persistent brain tumour, which caused Robert to slide off his bed into the tight crevice. Due to the restrictive space, his ability to breathe was impaired, which was further exacerbated by his overweight condition.
Details Released
An interesting revelation pointed towards Robert’s therapeutic dosage of his anti-seizure medication being lower than required. It was also shared that he had consumed some alcohol, but was not intoxicated at the time of his demise.
In a poignant statement read out during the inquest, Nicole reminisced about their time together since 2011, their plans to marry in 2023, and their life journey including Robert's initial strong physique, his passion for weight lifting, and his love for his job as an air space operative in Bristol. The diagnosis of brain tumour back in 2018 forced him to quit his job and led to surgery, causing him to lose his sight. The life-altering changes understandably affected his physical and mental health. The support of his children though helped him regain some traction. Two years down the line, the tumour advanced to stage three requiring another surgery.
Robert's Tough Medical Journey
A bone infection post-surgery created complications and in March 2022, a severe seizure followed a day after he suffered an electrical shock at home. Though the tests were normal and his medication was increased, his health visibly deteriorated thereafter. Health reports, however, deny the likelihood of the electrical shock causing the fatal seizure.
Alison Longhorn, area corner for Exeter and greater Devon, while offering condolences to the bereaved family, concluded that the seizure resulting from his previous brain tumour diagnosis was responsible for his untimely demise. The aftermath of his death saw family friend Keela Wachon fondly remembering Robert as a "brilliant dad" with a "big presence", and his death leaving everyone "completely shattered".
A fundraiser initiated post-Robert's death managed to garner nearly £5,500 from just over 200 donations, to help Nicole and the kids with the funeral costs.