TRAGEDY struck when a “respected and loved” 21-year-old Cardiff Met student fell to his death after attempting to climb a fire escape outside Kings nightclub in Cardiff.
Alfie Woollett, a young man from Looe in Cornwall, died on March 4 last year after hitting his head while trying to gain entry into the club.
The inquest into Mr Woollett’s death, held at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court, heard that he had attended a fancy dress party at the club but was asked to leave due to intoxication. Despite being excluded from the club, he attempted to re-enter by climbing the fire escape at the rear of the premises.
It was during this climb that he lost his footing and fell to his death, sustaining traumatic injuries to his head.
The results of a toxicological report showed that Mr Woollett was over four times above the legal drink-drive limit at the time of his death. The coroner stated that his intoxication was “a level which in itself can be fatal”.
Assistant coroner for South Wales Central Dr Sarah-Jane Richards concluded that Mr Woollett’s death was alcohol-related, with a medical cause of death being traumatic head injury under the influence of alcohol.
The coroner said: “He had attended a fancy dress evening at the Kings nightclub, Cardiff, with friends however was excluded from the club due to his intoxication. Mr. Woollett then attempted to climb the fire escape at the rear of the premises whereupon he lost his footing and fell sustaining traumatic head injuries from which he did not survive. Life was declared extinct at the scene at the rear of the Kings nightclub.”
Mr Woollett’s tragic death has left a void in the football community. Looe Town Football Club, where he played as a youth player and as a member of the men’s team, held a memorial match in May in his honour.
Cardiff Met University and Cardiff University also paid tribute to Mr Woollett with a minute’s silence at their fixture days after his death. The Alfie Woollett Cup was renamed in his memory for the current season of the Cardiff competition, the Cyncoed Cup.
Pete Lewis, the chairman of Looe Town Football Club, expressed the community’s grief and devastation, saying: “As a community, a club, as teams, and as individuals we are devastated to hear of the passing of Alfie Woollett, one of our own. Alfie played for the club for many years, firstly as a youth player and then as a member of the men’s team. His infectious smile, bubbly personality, competitive nature, skill, and determination made him a player that all respected and loved. We remember a great team player – you were one of the greatest and we will all remember you as your family will; such a lovely person. The entire family have been a huge part of our football community for many years and have been an incredible support to the club. Our thoughts are with the family at this most difficult time and our love, strength, and support go out to them all.”
