Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, has had the medical cause of his death identified as ‘polytrauma’ during an inquest. The hearing, which took place on December 17 at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court, indicated that determining the exact circumstances surrounding the 31-year-old’s passing may take some time.
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler said during the hearing: “Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam’s death, over which I have no legal jurisdiction, it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”
Following his tragic fall from a third-floor balcony last year at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, five individuals have been charged in connection with Payne’s death. According to a statement from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, charges of manslaughter have been brought against the hotel manager, a receptionist, and a friend of Payne.
Hotel manager Gilda Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and Payne’s friend Roger Nores have been identified in reports. Hotel staff member Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Paiz face charges for allegedly providing cocaine.
Payne’s funeral took place in November in Buckinghamshire, which saw the presence of Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of his son Bear. As well as his One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, alongside his family and close friends.
What is polytrauma?
Polytrauma refers to a situation where an individual has experienced multiple injuries affecting various body parts and organ systems, commonly referred to as multiple trauma. These injuries can arise from numerous incidents, such as car accidents, falls, violent acts, and explosions.
The nature of polytrauma injuries is often severe and intricate. It frequently occurs alongside other serious conditions like amputations, burns, spinal cord injuries, hearing and vision impairments, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It is often seen in veterans who have suffered from a blast-related event. Due to the severity and complexity of injuries typically caused by polytrauma, a high level of clinical care and other support services is needed.
The initial treatment for polytrauma adheres to a standard procedure known as the “primary survey.” This quick evaluation takes only two to three minutes and involves emergency measures aimed at stabilising the patient.
Individuals who survive polytrauma face a heightened risk of developing chronic illnesses. These can include diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, and they tend to have a reduced life expectancy.