Nine-year-old boy dies after collapsing at school due to suspected allergic reaction in Birmingham
West Midlands Police launch investigation after child collapses during school day and later dies
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A nine-year-old boy has died after suffering a suspect allergic reaction while at school, police have said.
Paramedics were called to Al Hijrah School in Birmingham at around 2:20pm on Friday after the child collapsed, but attempts to resuscitate the youngster failed and he later died in nearby Heartlands Hospital.
It has been reported that teachers were struggling to find his epi-pen to treat the child after he suffered an allergic reaction.
West Midlands Police have launched an investigation into the tragedy and a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out shortly.
Reports suggest the child suffered an allergic reaction to a fish and chips school dinner, but they could not be verified at the time of writing.
Birmingham City Council, which manages the school, said it is supporting the boy’s family along with specially trained police officers.
Brigid Jones, the city council's cabinet member for children, families and schools, said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with the family of the young man who tragically died following an incident at school yesterday."
Al-Hijrah is a voluntary-aided Islamic school for four to 18-year-olds, catering for 780 pupils, states the school on its Facebook page.
The school was at the centre of controversy in 2014 when it was placed in special measures after an inspection by education standards watchdog Ofsted declared it to be “inadequate”.
Later in the same year, council officials in Birmingham investigated claims that a trust running the school spent £1 million of public money funding a new school in Pakistan.
There is at present no suggestion that the school is at fault for the child's death.
Colin Diamond, Birmingham Council's executive director for education, said in a statement: “We were so sorry to hear about this tragic death and our thoughts are with his family and friends.
"We know the school is doing all it can to support the family through this terrible time and we are working with the school and police as they continue to look into the circumstances."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments