Following an inquest into the death of teenager, Evelin Chacko, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard that the 16-year-old was found dead in a nearby woodland just an hour after leaving the hospitaland that there were “systemic failures” at “every stage” of her treatment.
Evelin Chacko, from Farnworth, was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital following an overdose at her family home on 1 July 2020 and, after being initially taken into A&E, was placed in C2 ward: an adult treatment centre for people with complex care needs and the elderly.
Bolton Coroners’ Court heard how Evelin left the ward and returned home on at least three occasions but had always come back, with C2 consultant Dr Geraldine Donnelly confirming it was an open ward and that Evelin was “free to come and go” without monitoring from July 5 onwards.
However, after a meeting on July 10, where the assigned nurse Afreen Khan was said to be awaiting a mental health review for Evelin, he was told the next steps would be dealt with by another team and was not made aware that she attempted to harm herself the night before her death during the handover.
The inquest also heard that a mental health review took place on July 13 at around 1pm but Mr Khan was not able to attend due to his workload and the pressures of looking after nine other patients. Evelin left at 2.12pm and died just over an hour later.
Mr Khan told the court that “you shouldn’t be a named nurse and in charge [of multiple others], but we were expected to do both roles because of the pandemic and staffing. I didn’t have the chance to sit down and read her notes. I gave her medication, carried out observations and saw her behaviour.”
After hearing that she was placed on an “inappropriate ward” and should have been afforded “extra contact to check she was ok”, Area Coroner Professor Dr Alan Walsh also questioned how Khan could have been able to do “two jobs at once” in attending to the other patients and keeping an eye on Evelin.
Another staff member, Mary Hart, worked various shifts throughout Ms Chacko’s time in the hospital and said that while she had no immediate concerns about her wellbeing, she did note how “Evelin walked past and she appeared to be very upset” on 13 July, adding that “it was out of character for her.”
However, it is worth noting that although Evelin was described as a “smiley” individual by both her family and individuals around the hospital, it was also heard that she had a long history of “suicidal ideation” and had been escorted away from a motorway bridge in May earlier that year.
Data extracted from her phone also showed that in the months leading up to her death, the 16-year-old’s internet searches included, ‘I feel like I have to commit suicide’, ‘How to hide that I am suicidal’, and ‘What to write in a suicide note’, as well as googling hanging methods on the day she died.
Giving evidence in the inquest, Dr Patrick Waugh’s examination of her body showed ligature marks, as well as abrasions on her chin which suggested an attempt to adjust/struggle and suggested hanging as the cause of death.
Noticing that she was crying, Hart said she tried to approach the teen and although she did speak to her, Evelin “wouldn’t engage or acknowledge.” After returning from the Clinical Decision Unit, another nurse, Dawn Murphy, said she met security at the entrance and gave Evelin’s name and description.
It was then heard that in the notes entered into the electronic system at 1.49pm following the mental health review, it was stated that there was a “need to monitor” her but — similarly to Mr Khan and Evelin’s attempt to harm herself — she was not made aware of the contents of the report.
Speaking on behalf of the Chacko family, a spokesperson for Oakwood Solicitors said: “We are deeply saddened by Evelin Chacko’s tragic death however, we are consoled with the admissions made by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in relation to their failings.
“The investigations are still underway with regards to the involvement of Greater Manchester Mental Health and Bolton Council, but it has been recognised that Evelin, a 16-year-old, was on a wholly inappropriate adult acute ward. There is a lot to learn from her death.
“The nurse involved in Evelin’s care admitted that they did not have time to review the records and she was inappropriately placed on a ward where they were not experienced to deal with Evelin’s mental health. What was consistent is that Evelin was loving and caring.”
The inquest has now been halted until 30 October when more evidence will be presented to the Coroners’ Court. Oakwood concluded by stating, “It is hoped that when the investigations resume in the Autumn that the family will be able to receive some closure.”
For anyone struggling with mental health, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Samaritans on 116 123, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258, contact the NHS on 101 or, if it’s an emergency, call 999 immediately.
You can also find helpful resources regarding sexual abuse support HERE.
Featured Image — Facebook
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The Spirit of Manchester confirms bar closure as Manc hospitality takes another hit
Danny Jones
Manchester has been hit by yet another gutting hospitality closure as The Bar at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, formerly known as Three Little Words, has confirmed they have shut down effective immediately.
The stunning spot set up as The Spirit of Manchester Distillery’s dedicated, customer-facing city centre venue and second home under the arches, opened back in 2019, offering a cocktail, gin-making and tasting experience, as well as a restaurant.
But fast forward six years, and now the once-beloved Three Little Words bar has sadly closed, largely citing the same economic pressures everyone has faced post-pandemic.
Writing an emotional farewell post on LinkedIn, Spirit of Manchester co-founder and master distiller Seb Heeley said: “This is a post I never thought I’d have to write. 9 years ago, we set out with a dream to build something that would represent the spirit of Manchester from the humble beginning in our dining room.
“We were fortunate enough that people embraced our vision, and 6 years ago we embarked on an over million pound project to bring 6 forgotten, abandoned arches beneath the iconic Manchester Central back to life to show the best the city has to offer.
“Unfortunately, COVID changed the playing field 5 years ago, and over the last 2 years, running a city centre hospitality business, we have been hit with a perfect storm of rising costs, taxes and pressure on customer wallets that has ultimately led to an unsustainable business model.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have to close our customer-facing operation on Watson Street today. It’s the amazing team that I feel most sorry for, as it’s their commitment over the last 6 years that has made this building feel like our forever home.”
Having also housed local culinary offerings like Etana, too, it’s sad to see such an eye-catching part of the city’s dining scene fall foul to the ongoing industry pressures and cost of living crisis.
Heeley goes on to add: “If anyone on my network is looking for new recruits, I couldn’t speak highly enough of our whole team. Please get in touch with me about any opening you may have.”
Even if you’ve never been, you’ll have passed a bottle of Manchester Gin countless times. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Heeley signs off by saying: “While this is the end for our experience centre site, Manchester Gin will continue to be made in the city and hopefully enjoyed for years to come.
“Obviously, this is a difficult time for all of us, so please bear with us while we go through this transition. Thank you.” Online orders have also been briefly paused as they look to lay out clearer plans for the future, and we can only hope they come through the other side more stable.
In what has been a heartbreaking start to the week, this marks the third high-profile food and drink casualty in central Manchester alone in the space of just the last two days, with the news of Salvi’s shutting their Deansgate Square location being followed up by another NQ closure barely hours later.
Safe to say it’s more apparent than ever that our hospitality sector needs better support and fast.
Manchester’s famous 24-hour charity run for the homeless expands into three new cities
Danny Jones
Manchester city centre’s famous 24-hour charity run, which raises money for Britain’s homeless community every year, is growing once again in 2025, with the heartwarming event expanding into a trio of new regions.
The annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness may have started out life here in Manchester, but last November saw it branch out for the first time ever, launching the maiden edition of The Birmingham 24 Hour Run – an instant success, with the return 12 months later confirmed soon after.
We here at The Manc have been supporting the cause for a while now, with multiple members of the team having joined both the local and Brummy editions of the run.
Now set to branch out even further in just a few months’ time, The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is set to make its Yorkshire debut across two separate fundraising events this autumn, not to mention another event in the West Midlands this winter.
The 2024 Birmingham run saw almost £1,700 for relative homeless causes in the area, with all contributions considered: nothing short of an incredible tally for the inaugural event attended by far fewer numbers than its now well-established founding counterpart.
It was the first time that the Manc-born and bred charity run had ever ventured out of the city, proving that the format and not just nationwide, but a global crisis is what that can be supported all over.
With that in mind, this year, The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness will be hoping to positively impact rough sleeping numbers in Leeds for the very first time, as well as Sheffield, Hereford and, of course, Birmingham once again.
And yes, you can expect support from our friends over at The Hoot and The Sheff.
Backed by numerous local businesses, fellow non-profit organisations, run clubs, university groups, and plenty more from in and around the community, the annual fundraising relay run attracts thousands – and that’s just in Manchester.
The 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness was started by a bunch of uni students as a charitable arm of their running society, Run Wild MCR, and has since gone on to raise more than £50,000 for the ‘A Bed Every Night Scheme’.
An amazing achievement for a crucial cause we can all get behind.
Overseen by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and the Labour MP himself, Andy Burnham (who is a regular attendee every year now), the event that starts at noon one day and finishes at the same time the next, has seen both regional and national news coverage.
Speaking on this year’s expansion, 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness co-founder Tom Lewis told us: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support over the years; the Manchester running community, local companies and so many other organisations have come together to make a real difference.”
“Everyone should get involved with the 2025 events as it brings communities together from across each city to help raise money to aid those in need.”
For anyone considering getting involved with this year’s charity run for the homeless around Manchester city centre, or indeed any of the other four cities hosting in 2025, you can find the dates for each and more information HERE.
You can also watch a helpful little explainer, featuring the voice of yours truly, down below:
Danny Jones -
11th August 2023 
