Fatal accident inquiry to be held into Dundee boxer’s tragic death

A fatal accident inquiry will be held into the death of Dundee boxer Mike Towell, who died after collapsing during a bout.

The 25-year-old fell into a coma on September 29 2016, following a fight with Welsh competitor Dale Evans and later died in hospital.

Mr Towell was stretchered from the ring at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow after being stopped by the referee in the fifth round of his 13th professional fight.

A preliminary hearing will be held at Glasgow Sheriff Court on September 26, while the date fixed for the full inquiry is November 5.

It will examine the circumstances of Mr Towell’s death and a sheriff will consider whether it was avoidable and what can be done to prevent future deaths or injuries.

The boxer’s family have been campaigning and fundraising for brain safety scanners to be introduced within Scottish boxing since the tragedy.

The father of one had requested a brain scan three times after complaining of head pains prior to the fight, but doctors told him it was just a migraine.

Mr Towell’s girlfriend Chloe Ross and mum Tracey bought two scanners for clubs in Dundee and Stirling, two places where he learned his trade.

The British and Irish Boxing Authority has since introduced scanners at fights. They are similar to those used by the Russian boxing team at the Olympic Games in Rio.

The devices can help spot possible brain trauma at an early stage and it is hoped they will prevent boxers from suffering permanent brain damage thanks to such early diagnosis.

The devices can detect issues during the so-called “golden hour” — the minutes after a head injury where pre-hospital assessment is critical.

Dundee boxer Mike Towell collapsed during a fight and died later in hospital, aged 25.