Inquest held into death of Watton bar manager Matthew George

Matthew George, known by all as “Mattie”, worked at The Crown Hotel in Watton and was a hugely popular member of staff there. 

His father, Steven George, attended the inquest into his son’s death which took place on Tuesday, March 7 at the Norfolk Coroner’s Court at County Hall, Norwich. 

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In a statement read out in court, Mr George Snr described his son as “so much more” than the details presented at the inquest. 

He said: “Matthew was a much-loved son as well as being a fantastic brother, grandson, uncle, cousin, nephew, and close friend to so many. 

“[His] immense humour and kindness made him so popular it became a family joke that he knew everyone. 

“Wherever you went, people would be stopping to say ‘hello’ and having a laugh and a chat with him.”

Norfolk Coroner's Court - Picture: Donna-Louise Bishop (Image: Newsquest)

Mr George Jnr had previously been diagnosed with pilonidal sinus disease, a condition which caused an abscess that he had been treated for four months previously in February 2022. 

Following an assessment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (N&N) on June 3, it was discovered he had developed another abscess.  

He was readmitted the following morning for treatment under general anaesthetic. The operation was described as “routine and uneventful” by N&N consultant Adam Stearns. 

After coming round from the anaesthetic, Mr George Jnr became agitated following the effects of the anaesthesia and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest due to complications that arose. 

He could not be revived and died less than an hour after the surgery had been completed. 

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Mr George Snr added: “We were just waiting to hear from him after surgery, when we received that tragical call to attend the hospital as next-of-kin. 

“Even at this point I could not believe the worst, as my wife Sally feared, and I was trying to reassure her. 

“To be told our son had died during his recovery from a successful, relatively minor operation left us in a state of shock and despair that we may never fully recover from. 

“Matthew's loss at such a young age has left a huge and gaping hole in our hearts and a shadow which feels like it will never lift. 

“And having to break the news to his older brother and younger sister was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.”  

The family said they were “deeply moved and humbled by the respect and love shown to them” by their son’s friends and loved ones since his death. 

A postmortem examination also revealed that he had an underlying condition of cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease. 

Johanna Thompson, assistant coroner for Norfolk, concluded a short narrative verdict that Mr George Jnr died from “complications arising from the use of anaesthesia for necessary surgery.” 

She added: “I express my most sincere condolences. I am very sorry for your loss.” 

An independent and external Serious Incident Investigation into his death has been commissioned and is currently ongoing. 

Matthew Thomas George was born on October 23, 1993, in Swindon, Wiltshire. He lived at Saint Edmund's Road in Lingwood, near Norwich, and died at 10.47am on June 4, 2022, at the N&N in Colney. 

• The family recently created a Just Giving fundraiser in Mattie’s memory to raise money for the charity Alzheimer's Society. Visit bit.ly/3Jj6qHv to donate. 
• To pay tribute to a loved one, email norfolkobituaries@newsquest.co.uk 
• To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.