Christopher Karieren, a 31-year-old man from Enfield, died after being hit by a train near a North London station on November 16, 2025. An inquest into his death found that he was 'failed' by North Middlesex University Hospital and Barnet Hospital, as well as by the Metropolitan Police.
Christopher sought help at two hospitals
On November 12, 2025, Christopher attended North Middlesex University Hospital with his sister, telling staff he wanted to end his life. He remained in the emergency department overnight and was discharged on the morning of November 14 after a wait of over 36 hours, into the care of the community crisis home treatment team. Later that day, he went to Barnet Hospital emergency department by himself. After being reviewed by the psychiatric liaison team, he agreed to voluntarily be admitted to a mental health ward within the North London NHS Foundation Trust when a bed became available.
However, a bed never became available. Due to staffing issues, Christopher did not receive one-to-one observation, which he needed. He left the emergency department at 7:20 pm on November 15. Staff did not notice his absence until two hours later.
Police failed to investigate missing person report
The Metropolitan Police were alerted to Christopher's disappearance at 9:30 pm on November 15. According to Hudgell's Solicitors, who represented the family at the inquest, officers incorrectly applied the 'Right Care Right Person' framework and did not begin a missing person investigation. The call handler recorded that a missing person report was appropriate and alerted the Local missing persons hub team, but they did not further escalate it that night. Christopher was found by British Transport police at 6:54 am on November 16, after being struck by a train.
Coroner finds serious shortcomings contributed to death
Area Coroner for Haringey, Peter Murphy, recorded a conclusion of suicide. He stated that the non-availability of a bed at the North London NHS Foundation Trust and the lack of one-to-one observation by staff at Barnet Hospital 'probably made more than a minimal contribution' to Christopher's death.
Christopher's mother, Sharon Gunard, said: 'My son was completely failed by two hospitals. Just because somebody isn’t physically injured or bleeding out, it doesn’t mean that they are not in pain or in danger. Christopher could feel he was a risk to himself. His sister was with him at North Middlesex Hospital and was pleading for him to be helped, but they were ignored.'
Family calls for change in mental health care
Christopher's parents described him as a 'beautiful soul' with a 'heart of gold'. In a tribute read to the inquest, they said: 'He’ll be remembered for his kindness and empathy for people. We miss him, his sister misses her brother dearly, and our hearts are breaking that he is no longer with us.'
Solicitor Caroline Murgatroyd of Hudgell Solicitors said: 'This is deeply distressing for Christopher’s family. Christopher had sought help. He knew his mental health had been declining and he reached out to health professionals to provide him with the care, treatment and support he needed to keep him safe. He spent more than 28 hours in each of the hospitals and was not admitted to a mental health ward.'
Hospitals and police acknowledge failures
A spokesperson for Royal Free London, which represents both hospitals, said: 'We apologise wholeheartedly for failing to take full care of him in our emergency department whilst he was waiting for transfer to the specialist mental health service. There are lessons to be learnt for all of the organisations involved in his care.'
A spokesperson from North London NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We are very sorry that Christopher had to wait for admission. We recognise that delays in accessing mental health inpatient beds are a national challenge.' The Metropolitan Police stated that they have provided updated training and guidance on the Right Care, Right Person policy.
