Inquest opens into death of ‘smart, articulate and creative boy’ under care of agencies

An inquest has opened into the death of a teenager who was hit by a train to examine the role of those providing his care.

Samuel Howes, from Purley, was killed after being struck by a train at South Croydon railway station on September 2, 2020 – just one month before his 18th birthday.

An inquest will now examine the circumstances of his death and the care he received from various agencies, including the police and health and social services, prior to his death.

The youngest of four siblings, Samuel was a much-loved part of his family. A passionate football player and big fan of Crystal Palace FC, his family said Samuel was happiest when using his talents to write and perform music.

His family describe him as a “smart, articulate and creative boy who was full of potential”.

Samuel was made the subject of a care order under Croydon council just before his 16th birthday, and was living in social services’ semi-independent accommodation in Croydon.

He was receiving mental health support from South London and Maudsley child and adolescent mental health services (SLaM CAMHS) and had complex needs.

He had a history of mental ill-health, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anorexia, addiction and self-harm.

Samuel had been admitted to A&E more than 40 times in the three years prior to his death. With the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, his mental health deteriorated drastically.

On August 20, 2020, Samuel was arrested by British Transport Police and held in police custody while under the influence of alcohol.

According to INQUEST, the legal charity representing the family, during this time Samuel did not receive any medical attention, despite repeated attempts to self-harm.

He was released from custody 19 hours later, without the relevant safeguarding forms having been completed.

On the evening of September 1, 2020, Samuel was recorded as a missing person by the Metropolitan after an incident at his accommodation.

Early the next morning, Samuel contacted the London Ambulance Service (LAS) from his friend’s house while crying and expressing suicidal thoughts.

Police officers visited his friend’s house but did not find Samuel there. His level of risk as a missing person was classed by the police as “medium” and the assessment was not escalated to high-risk, according to INQUEST.

The charity said there was no search for Samuel and, a few hours later, he was killed after being struck by a train.

Samuel’s family said they had “serious questions” about the care and support he received in the months leading up to his death.

The inquest will be held before a jury and will consider whether there was any shortcoming in the mental health treatment and social services care extended to Samuel, and whether there were any missed opportunities in the days leading up to his death.

The inquest will begin on Monday and run for three weeks. Samuel’s family and INQUEST have declined to comment until it concludes.

Pictured top: Samuel Howes died one month before his 18th birthday (Picture: INQUEST)