Inquest into James Tsindos’ death wraps up in Melbourne

The distraught parents of a 17-year-old Brighton Grammar student, who died after an allergic reaction to a burrito bowl that had cashew nuts, speak of their “guilt and feeling of failure”.

The parents of a year 12 student who died from a nut allergy after eating a burrito bowl delivered by food app Deliveroo are calling for a national approach to better food labelling at restaurants and takeaway outlets.

James Tsindos, a 17-year-old Brighton Grammar student, ordered the food with a vegan cheese sauce that contained cashew nuts that initially caused him mild allergy symptoms.

The symptoms improved with two adrenaline shots administered by paramedics on the way to Holmesglen Private Hospital on March 27, 2021 but his condition deteriorated once inside the hospital.

James told nurses he “couldn’t breathe” and wanted to speak to his mother before losing consciousness and entering cardiac arrest.

He suffered a catastrophic brain injury and was taken off life support on June 1.

Piano enthusiast James Tsindos died from anaphylaxis after eating a burrito bowl he ordered online in mid-2021

His parents Harry and Venetia Tsindos read emotional victim impact statements at the end of an inquest on Wednesday after all the evidence had been called.

Harry Tsindos spoke about his guilt for not understanding the precarious position his son was in that fateful day.

“I thought that we’d get through this observation period soon enough. He would be fine. What transpired was devastating,’’ Mr Tsindos said.

“The guilt and feeling of failure is excruciating. I’ve been shaken to my core. I just didn’t think anything was gonna happen to him,” he lamented.

Mr Tsindos recalled going home for dinner and receiving a call on his way back to the hospital that James was in a critical condition.

“I recalled saying to the person “you must have the wrong child” Please check the wristband. While I was eating my lunch, my son was dying.”

Parents of James Tsindos spoke about the good times they shared with their youngest son who died from anaphylaxis.

His fondest memories with James were from the weekends when they’d escape to the coast and get into all sorts of “boy stuff”. James’ passion for the piano was such that his school changed the rules to allow him access to the music room during lunch hour, he said.

“James performed some of the most complex and classical piano pieces of the world. His peers, teachers and school recognised his talent,” he said.

Mr Tsindos called for advocacy towards a national approach to allergies and anaphylaxis, similar to asthma management plans in schools.

Under existing regulations, restaurants and takeaway outlets are not required to tell customers of ingredients including known allergens such as nuts.

“Avoiding the allergen is ultimately the best prevention. While this is no easy task, especially the younger ones among us, we should be vigilant especially around direct online food delivery. We must have food labelling laws changed,” Mr Tsindos said.

Mum Venetia Tsindos described James as her “baby”, the child she desperately wanted after having three girls.

He was halfway through year 12 and was about to graduate — a milestone she said no boy should have to miss out on.

“Words can’t explain the anguish, the gut wrenching pain I feel every second of my day, the sleepless nights experienced, waiting for James to appear. He did not make it to his 18th,” she said.