Tributes paid to young darts champ at inquest

Thursday 02 May 2019

A young darts prodigy has been remembered as a “gentle giant” and a “caring and loving son” at an inquest into his sudden death.

Edward Brian Le Bailly passed away suddenly aged just 23 on 18 December last year – a loss that rocked the island’s darts community.

The former Le Rocquier and Highlands student was a keen darts player, and held the record for being the youngest player to feature in the Channel Islands Muratti, as well as to represent Jersey in a World and European cups.

Yesterday, an inquest, which saw tributes paid to his passions and achievements, was held to establish how and why the young man came by his death.

Pictured: The inquest was held at Morier House.

Advocate Mark Harris, presiding Coroner, recorded the cause as “unascertained”, but heard during the course of the inquest that it was a likely consequence of breathing issues related to Mr Le Bailly’s weight.

The inquest heard that sleep apnoea – a disorder that causes elongated pauses in breathing during sleep – had led him to have difficulties with staying alert in his job in a call centre.

He was signed off work in order to focus on improving his health, and made some progress with the help of a personal trainer.

Advocate Harris was also told that, being deemed at “real risk” of respiratory failure, he was also given medical assistance for his sleep apnoea.

He was given a mask, which he was recommended to use while he slept, but his mother said that he didn’t enjoy using it, as it was too “powerful”, so eventually stopped.

Pictured: Mr Le Bailly was a keen darts player, having won a number of trophies and titles.

The inquest heard that, unfortunately, returning to work after being signed off led to a reversal in Mr Le Bailly’s progress.

On the morning of his death, his mother came into his room to check on him before work. It was then that she realised he needed medical attention, and called an ambulance. Sadly neither her and her son’s efforts, nor those of paramedics, could revive him.

A post-mortem was unable to be carried out, but exterior pathological analysis and a number of medical reports read to the inquest led Advocate Harris to conclude that Mr Le Bailly’s death – although “unascertained” – was likely linked with breathing issues caused by his weight.

In a number of statements read to the inquest, warm tributes were paid to Mr Le Bailly.

His mother explained that, he was a keen Manchester United supporter, who enjoyed rod fishing at St. Catherine and the harbour, and also took the family dog, Manchester terrier Ziggy, on walks.

Having represented the island in inter-insular contests, in Europe and abroad, scooping a number of trophies and titles along the way, many commented upon Mr Le Bailly’s darting abilities.

Above all, however, he was remembered for his character. Mr Le Bailly’s mother, who called him a “loving son”, noted that there was “never a bad word said about him."

He was described as “kind, caring and honest” and “very much respected” by friends and work colleagues alike.

“He is very much loved and missed by us all,” Mrs Le Bailly noted.

Advocate Harris concluded the inquest, stating that he was “very sorry” for the family’s loss.