Whittingham, who scored 98 times in 459 games for the Bluebirds, is survived by wife Amanda. He said: "I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. An ex-Cardiff City player hit his head and died after falling down stairs at a pub in a pretend fight with friends, an inquest heard. Williams said he found Whittingham lying at the bottom of the steps beyond a fire door in the pubs corridor with his face to the side, and tried to lift him up only to find his body limp. Thoughts go to all the family, friends and club in this difficult time. He added that Mr Whittingham was not a smoker. The former footballer had been out to watch the Six Nations rugby match between England and Wales when he fell and was injured at the Park Hotel. The first witness statement to be read to the hearing is from Mr Whittinghams wife Amanda. Im proud to have played alongside you and will always remember the young vs old games and you just running the show. Mr Whittinghams wife Amanda addressed the members of the press ahead of the formal start of the hearing and called for her partner to be remembered for all he had achieved. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Nobody did it better. Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham tragically died after falling through a pub fire door and hitting his head, an inquest heard. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You will receive a verification email shortly. I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs., He added: I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. 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Whittingham played in two major cup finals for Cardiff - the FA Cup final in 2008 and Carling Cup final in 2012 - and won a Championship winners' medal in 2013 as Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League. Dr Christopher Hingston, an intensive care consultant at the hospital, said Whittingham had a Glasgow coma score of three - the lowest possible score and meaning he was completely unresponsive - during his admission. The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. Young guy's life taken so quickly after a freak accident. In a statement read to the inquest he said the group with Mr Whittingham were all jolly and in good spirits and drinking steadily but nobody appeared overly drunk. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? Taylor said he recalled people wanting to take photographs with Whittingham in the pub corridor, which led to steps taking guests to an external smoking area, but also said he had no memory of play fighting or Whittingham falling before he noticed him on the ground. Reaching a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Graeme Hughes said: On March 7, 2020, he attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, suffered a traumatic head injury at the pub nearly a year ago. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the games biggest names, insightful analysis and a bit of a giggle. The ex-Bluebirds midfielder, who died last year aged 35 and is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. My kids need me.I've got a three year old who is a little whirlwind most of the time, but when I've had a seizure, he sits beside me and he calms down. 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I really cannot remember anything much of what happened.". The ex- Rovers man, who died last year aged 35 and spent a year at Ewood Park making 24 appearances, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. A coroner said that "during a period of horseplay" with a friend and his brother-in-law Mr Whittingham "appears to have lost his balance and gone through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and his head has come into contact with the steps. When I looked more closely I could see he was not moving and something was wrong.. CARDIFF CITY legend Peter Whittingham has tragically died at the age of 35. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. Whittinghams wife and mother to their two young boys, Amanda Whittingham, told the hearing he left home at about 3pm without eating since breakfast because he was in a rush to catch the game. Ex-Cardiff City ace Peter Whittingham, 35, suffered a serious head injury after tumbling down stairs leading to a beer garden in Barry, South Wales in March last year. The Cardiff City legend, 35, suffered a traumatic head injury at the Park Hotel in South Wales on March 7, 2020. But he said the evening was a blackout, and had no memory of the former footballer falling. She said: I hope [our children] will be proud and comforted by their daddy's life and not overshadowed by details we are about to hear about his cruel death., Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. One wrote on Twitter: "Incredibly sad news. My deepest sympathy to your family x Heart broken x pic.twitter.com/HRTVlYwtTU Mark Hudson (@M_Hudson5) March 19, 2020, Leicesters England playmaker James Maddison posted: Rest in Peace Peter Whittingham. He made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. Former Premier League footballer Peter Whittingham has died at age 35 nearly two weeks after sustaining a head injury in an accidental fall at a pub, according to South Wales police. Whittingham led the Welsh giants to the Premier League for the first time in 2013 as Championship winners, and also helped them to the 2008 FA Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth. 2023 BBC. He adds that he could not remember much of what had happened or the events of the following day. However, as has been seen by many powerful media campaigns, the input of a persons family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others. Mr Hughes passed his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Whittingham as he ended the hearing. They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time. Thoughts are with his family and friends.. "I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. Whittingham began his career at his boyhood club Aston Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007. The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. Express. A medical cause of death was proposed as subdural hematoma operated. He describes that he later watched CCTV from the area inside the pub where the incident happened, which was in a corridor leading to the smoking area. He added he and Mr Whittingham were at the pub to watch the Wales v England match. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. She was told he had sustained a bleed to the brain and needed an operation. He was also part of the defeated 2012 League Cup final side who took Liverpool to penalties after a 2-2 draw. Mr Taylor said he was with the pair in the corridor that led to the beer garden area outside the Park Pub. Peter Whittingham underwent an emergency operation after the incident to relieve pressure on his brain and was later sent to the intensive care unit. Changed your mind? He died at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, police said. Nobody did it better. Read about our approach to external linking. Nobody did it better. Mr Lewis said he went to the area and saw someone lying on the floor before calling the emergency services. The couple were expecting their second child when Whittingham died, with their newest son born two months after the incident in May 2020. CCTV footage showed him in a pub corridor engaging in "horseplay" before appearing to lose balance and walking through a fire door off camera, where he fell down eight steps and hit his head. Did you encounter any technical issues? "Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Rest in Peace Peter Whittingham Didnt know him personally but have the biggest respect for his footballing ability and that wand of a left foot which scored so many free kicks which I absolutely loved watching. Match of the Day: What fans can expect as show returns this weekend. A Warner Bros. Its a journalists duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. He described a general confusion as nobody knew how Mr Whittingham had been knocked out. An inquest heard former Cardiff City footballer Peter Whittingham died in a tragic accident after falling on some stairs leading to a beer garden. A truly wonderful player, I was lucky to have spent my time on the grass with you and part of my life enjoying your dry humour. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. Mrs Whittingham said she texted her husband at 9pm but didnt hear back and after she called later there was no answer and she fell asleep. The coroners court in Pontypridd, south Wales, heard the former England Under-21 international had gone drinking with his wifes brother and a friend to watch last years England v Wales Six Nations match. Some time after 9.30pm he was in an area near the toilets and adjacent to a fire door leading to a corridor and steps and outside smoking area. Peter will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.. I cannot remember being in the corridor and messing about with Pete and Ryan. He left Cardiff for Blackburn Rovers in 2017, before having his contract terminated just over a year later. The left-footed maestro finished his career at Blackburn Rovers and played for England under-21s, earning 17 caps. A third added: "RIP Whitts we will never ever forget everything you have done for us and I am truly heartbroken that you have left us. Mr Williams said it showed a play fight and them messing around with Mr Whittingham. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. One added: "So sad to hear about Peter Whittingham! Wittingham started his career with Aston Villa before joining Cardiff in 2007. Former Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham dies aged 35, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. First and foremost, Peter was a family man and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. He said: "During a period of horseplay with a friend and a relative he appeared to have lost his balance, travelled through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and as he did so his head has come into contact with the steps. But his real success came after transferring to Welsh side Cardiff City for 350,000 ($412,000) in 2007, according to the BBC. "A 35-year-old man from Penarth suffered a head injury as a result of a fall and remains at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. More info. Mr Hughes explains that an inquest is a fact-finding inquiry and that a number of witness statements will be read at todays hearing. The Cardiff favourite retired from the pro game in 2017 after an impressive career that also included spells at Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers. Unconfirmed rumours had claimed the former star ended up in hospital following an incident in the Park pub in Barry on March 7 - the same day as England vs Wales in the Six Nations. On Tuesday, the coroner's court in Pontypridd, south Wales, heard the former England U21 international had gone drinking with his wife's brother and a friend to watch last year's England vs Wales Six Nations match. Mrs Whittingham gave birth to their second son two months after his death. You can unsubscribe at any time. Whittingham fell down the stairs at a pub in Barry on March 7, 2020. "First and foremost, Peter was a family man - and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but his condition deteriorated and he died on 18 March. The ex-footballer had been in hospital for over a week prior to his death. A truly wonderful player, I was lucky to have spent my time on the grass with you and part of my life enjoying your dry humour. As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others lives. Blackburn said: Rovers are deeply saddened to learn the news that former midfielder Peter Whittingham has passed away, aged 35. Aston Villa and Blackburn both paid tribute to their former player. DC Jenkins, who led the investigation, said the CCTV footage from the Park Hotel was from a single camera that covers the corridor between the downstairs bar and the smoking area at the back of the premises. "Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Footballer Peter Whittingham fell and died after 'play fight', inquest told Former Cardiff midfielder fell down stairs at a pub last March Inquest hears he was drinking with brother-in-law. Some time after 9.30pm he was in an area near the toilets and adjacent to a fire door leading to a corridor and steps and outside smoking area. You can also subscribe to tailored content for Swansea, Newport, rugby, Cardiff City FC, Swansea City FC and more. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, who played for the club. Meanwhile, Cardiff released a statement, reading: It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. The Championship club confirmed the former Bluebirds midfielder had died after a police. A statement by Nicholas Davison, a friend of Peter Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said that the trio were in a round together. Peter Whittingham Death. Police officer DC Steve Jenkins described seeing light-hearted play fighting which evidently involves no malice whatsoever and they are all smiling throughout after reviewing CCTV footage of the incident at the Park Hotel. We are heartbroken. She said: "Rob was going out to watch the Wales v England game at the Park Hotel pub in Barry and trying to persuade Peter to go with him. On Wednesday, South Wales Police had released a statement detailing an accident that had occurred in Barry after rumours of Whittingham's death on social media users began to circulate. "The news of Peter's sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. He helped the Bluebirds to the FA Cup final in his first full season at the club, and went on to establish himself as one of the Championships most exciting attacking midfielders over the next few seasons. The head injury he was suffered came as a result of a fall in a pub in Barry. CARDIFF legend Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35 following an accidental fall in a pub. Mr Lewis said he went to the area and saw someone lying on the floor before calling the emergency services. He said: On March 7, 2020, he attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? After being transferred to hospital and undergoing an operation Mr Hughes said his condition deteriorated and Mr Whittingham later died in hospital. The inquest into his death held at Pontypridd heard that Whittingham underwent an emergency operation to relieve pressure on his brain and was later sent to an intensive care unit. The former Cardiff midfielder has died at the age of 35 following a fall 12 days ago. After leaving Cardiff in 2017, Mr Whittingham, originally from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, ended his career with Blackburn Rovers in 2018 before moving back to south Wales. The dad-of-two fell down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry on March 7 - the day of England's Six Nations clash with Wales - and was left with devastating head injuries. The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Nuneaton-born Whittingham began his career at boyhood club Aston Villa and was part of the club's 2002 FA Youth Cup-winning team. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. By March 17 he had been off sedative drugs for a number of days but neurological recovery remained poor. He left the club in 2017 for Blackburn Rovers, where he made 20 appearances. He made 16 appearances for Englands Under-21 team in that time, scoring three goals, while featuring in Villas Premier League side. She was told he had sustained a bleed to the brain and needed an operation. Medical evidence is now being heard at the inquest. A club statement read: It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. Nuneaton-born Whittingham began his career at boyhood club Aston Villa and was part of the clubs 2002 FA Youth Cup-winning team. Updated ", talkSPORT correspondent Laurence Mora pays tribute to Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham, Peter Whittingham, bottom right, was capped 17 times at England U21 level, The left-footer became a set-piece specialist during his fine career. The ex-Aston Villa player had been in hospital for more than a week after suffering a head injury in a fall in a pub in. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered and lives will be lost. His brother-in-law Robert Williams said the pair and friend Ryan Taylor had been drinking larger, bitter and tequila during the afternoon and evening. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. She said: "Rob was going out to watch the Wales v England game at the Park Pub in Barry and trying to persuade Peter to go with him. Tributes have poured in from the world of football following Peter Whittinghams death at the age of 35. A statement by Nicholas Davison, a friend of Peter Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said that the trio were in a round together while at the pub. Whittingham burst onto the scene with Villa before making his name at Cardiff where he helped them win promotion to the Premier League in 2013. You will be missed but never forgotten. Mr Taylor said he remembered people wanting to take pictures with Mr Whittingham in the corridor but also had no memory of play fighting or the fall. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest is told, Peter Whittingham made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff City, Whittingham played in two major finals for Cardiff and was part of their Championship-winning side in 2013. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. He described seeing light-hearted play fighting which evidently involves no malice whatsoever and they are all smiling throughout. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. When I looked more closely at Peter, I could see he wasn't moving and something was wrong.". Peter was a fantastic footballer and an incredible human being. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. She said: I hope [our children] will be proud and comforted by their daddy's life and not overshadowed by details we are about to hear about his cruel death.. Peter Whittingham died on 17 March 2020 at the age of 35, according to Transfermarkt. He also played a key hand in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time. It read: "At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry. Former Aston Villa star Peter Whittingham tragically died after falling through a pub fire door and hitting his head, an inquest heard.. His retirement came about in 2018 after a spell with Blackburn Rovers. He said at time of the incident the only people present were Robert Williams, Ryan Taylor, and Mr Whittingham. He did not regain consciousness and died in hospital 11 days later. "We are heartbroken. 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"Not only were you a great player and professional you were an amazing human, City loves you more than you know.". We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that. A statement read by Mr Whittingham's wife, Amanda, to members of the press ahead of the formal start of the hearing saw her call for him to be remembered for all he achieved. FourFourTwo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during my time at Cardiff City. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during my time at Cardiff City. The head injury he was suffered came as a result. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in "horseplay" with the pair in a corridor, before he appeared to lose his balance and walked through a fire door off-camera and fell down eight steps and hit his head just after 9.30pm. The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of open justice. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, rest in peace Whitts was too young, Whittingham played under current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2014, and the Norwegian called him an incredible human being.. The inquest heard that several pints and shots were consumed by the group at the Park pub. The inquest heard Mr Whittingham underwent an emergency operation after the incident to relieve pressure on his brain and was later sent to the intensive care unit.