An inquest has heard that a 53-year-old electrician from Padiham tragically passed away on New Year’s Eve, nine days after being admitted to the hospital with severe, self-inflicted wounds.
John Paul Burns, of Berkeley Crescent, was rushed to the Manchester Royal Infirmary on December 22, Lancs Live reports.
Upon arrival, Mr. Burns underwent immediate emergency surgery for multiple self-inflicted penetrating injuries to his chest and abdomen.
Medical staff reported that while the initial operation was successful and Mr. Burns briefly showed signs of recovery, his condition later severely deteriorated. He passed away on December 31.
During an inquest held at Preston Coroners' Court, Area Coroner Emma Mather returned a narrative conclusion. The court heard that Mr. Burns’s recovery was ultimately compromised by serious underlying health issues.
"Mr. John Paul Burns was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary on the 22nd December 2025 with multiple self-inflicted stab wounds caused with the intent to end his life," Coroner Mather stated. "He underwent emergency surgery on admission which was successful and he began to show signs of recovery."
The coroner continued: "However, he had underlying biventricular heart failure caused by ischaemic cardiomyopathy as a consequence of smoking and illicit drug use, which caused his deterioration and subsequent death."
The official medical cause of death was recorded as biventricular heart failure and ischaemic cardiomyopathy, compounded by smoking, drug use, and the penetrating injuries. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma were also listed as contributory factors.
