The coroner has opened and adjourned an inquest after hearing that 16-year-old Taha Soomro appeared to suffer a suspected seizure followed by cardiac arrest at Barry Island Pleasure Park on May 23. Emergency services attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem at the University Hospital of Wales was inconclusive, leaving the cause of death unascertained while further inquiries continue.
16-Year-Old Collapses at Barry Island Pleasure Park — Inquest Hears Suspected Seizure and Cardiac Arrest
The coroner has opened and adjourned an inquest after hearing that 16-year-old Taha Soomro appeared to suffer a suspected seizure followed by cardiac arrest at Barry Island Pleasure Park on May 23. Emergency services attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem at the University Hospital of Wales was inconclusive, leaving the cause of death unascertained while further inquiries continue.
03:18 PM, 11/19/2025Society
Summary: An inquest opening has heard that 16-year-old Taha Soomro suffered a suspected seizure followed by cardiac arrest at Barry Island Pleasure Park on May 23. Emergency services attended but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and the coroner has adjourned the inquest to gather further evidence.
Timeline and inquest
Taha Soomro, a 16-year-old from the Grangetown area of Cardiff, collapsed at Barry Island Pleasure Park on May 23. Emergency services were called shortly before 5 p.m., and despite resuscitation attempts the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
At an inquest opening at the coroner's court in Pontypridd on Nov. 18, the coroner reported that the available evidence suggests Soomro experienced a suspected seizure and subsequent cardiac arrest while at the park. The coroner formally opened the inquest and adjourned the proceedings to allow investigators to gather additional evidence and information.
Post-mortem and investigation
A post-mortem examination carried out at the University Hospital of Wales returned inconclusive results. As a result, the medical cause of death remains unascertained pending further tests and inquiries. The coroner will consider all relevant evidence before reaching a determination at a future hearing.
Court staff confirmed the inquest was adjourned to allow time for investigators to collect and review evidence that will assist the coroner in establishing the facts surrounding the death.
Other developments
Earlier reports indicated a 15-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident; police later released that individual on bail on May 25 while inquiries continue. Local authorities and the park are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Coroner Graeme Hughes said he had heard evidence touching on the death of Taha Ali Soomro and that it was necessary to open an inquest to examine the circumstances.
Barry Island Pleasure Park released a statement saying staff assisted emergency services at the scene but the teenager suffered a medical emergency and could not be saved. Representatives from the hospital and law enforcement have not provided further comment beyond confirming the investigation is ongoing.
The inquest date has not yet been set. Authorities continue to investigate and will present further evidence at a future hearing.