Was Sheffield’s Chris Staniforth Really Killed By His X-Box?
CHRIS Staniforth was killed by his X-box in Sheffield. As the Sun yells from its front page:
Death by Xbox
How so?
Game addict, 20, killed by deep vein thrombosis
The Sun tells us:
A LAD of 20 has been killed by a blood clot caused by playing his Xbox for up to 12 hours at a time.
Fact!
A post mortem revealed that Chris Staniforth – addicted to games such as Halo – had suffered a deep vein thrombosis. It can be triggered by sitting in one position for long spells.
Can be. But was it? Well, we do not know. What is deep vein thrombosis? The BBC tells us:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) within a deep vein, commonly in the thigh or calf. The blood clot can either partially or completely block the flow of blood in the vein. DVT can be caused by a narrowed or blocked vein, which allows the blood to clot. This can be brought on by an injury to the vein (such as a sharp blow to the leg), or following surgery or radiation therapy. DVT can also be caused by poor circulation from inactivity or prolonged bed rest. In addition, they can occur during pregnancy as an increased tendency for the blood to form clots occurs naturally so as to prevent excessive bleeding during childbirth. DVT can also occur as the result of severe infection, liver disease and some cancers.
The NHS says DVT can be caused by:
Your risk of developing DVT is also increased if you or a close relative have previously had DVT, and if you are:
• overweight or obese
• a smoker
• dehydrated
• over 60 (particularly if you have a condition that restricts your mobility)
The Stop The Clot awareness group tells us:
DVT and PE in children and young adults can be caused by poor blood circulation (for example, during times of decreased mobility or vein constriction for a prolonged period), damage to the inner lining of veins (such as when a catheter is placed in a vein, or when certain drugs or toxins are circulating in the blood), and thrombophilia states. In children and young adults, a combination of these risk factors is often present at the time of DVT or PE. Also, in young people, genetic causes of thrombophilia may be important contributing factors to DVT or PE. Sometimes, however, the cause of DVT or PE in children and young adults remains unclear.
Says his “stunned” dad (surely, saddened? – ed)
“He lived for his Xbox. I never dreamed he was in any danger. As a parent you think playing computer games can’t do them any harm because you know what they are doing.
“Kids all over the country are playing these games for long periods – they don’t realise it could kill them.”
Video games are massively popular. Anyone know how many people have died from DVT playing them? We can find news of one: Chris Staniforth.
What of the facts?
Chris collapsed seconds after telling a friend how he had been experiencing a strange sensation in his chest.
Oh?
The pair were chatting outside a JobCentre where Chris had an interview.
So. He was not playing X-box at the time, then? The “addict” was out looking for a job.
David said: “He told his friend how he was woken in the night by a strange feeling in his chest. He said his heart rate had been incredibly low but it went back to normal and he fell asleep again. Then he dropped a packet of chewing gum and as he picked it up, he jolted back and began to spasm.”
His media history is briefly mentioned:
He did not have a history of ill health and had no underlying medical complications.
David, who is divorced from Chris’s mum, added: “At first we couldn’t understand how this had happened. We were stunned the cause of death came back as a pulmonary embolism as a result of DVT.”
Sad news for the family. But was Chris Staniforth really killed by his X-box?
Image: via
Posted: 30th, July 2011 | In: Reviews Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
