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Nine-year-old died after choking | Nine-year-old died after choking |
(about 16 hours later) | |
The coroner has ruled a nine-year-old boy from Londonderry who suffered from cerebral palsy, died after choking. | The coroner has ruled a nine-year-old boy from Londonderry who suffered from cerebral palsy, died after choking. |
Hugh Marshall developed problems eating a burger in July 2003 in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry. | |
He was admitted to Altnagelvin after complaining of abdominal pains connected with his condition. | He was admitted to Altnagelvin after complaining of abdominal pains connected with his condition. |
Hugh's condition was later described as critical and he was transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children where he died. | Hugh's condition was later described as critical and he was transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children where he died. |
A specialist children's doctor from King's College Hospital in London carried out an independent report into the circumstances surrounding the child's death, which agreed with the coroner's findings. | A specialist children's doctor from King's College Hospital in London carried out an independent report into the circumstances surrounding the child's death, which agreed with the coroner's findings. |
The coroner's court in Derry heard that a day after being admitted to Altnagelvin, Hugh's condition had improved and he was given an evening meal of a hamburger and chips. | The coroner's court in Derry heard that a day after being admitted to Altnagelvin, Hugh's condition had improved and he was given an evening meal of a hamburger and chips. |
I know nothing will bring him back but after five years it is closure Hugh's mother Maureen | |
A short time later, a nurse checking on Hugh found him choking. His condition was described as critical but it later stabilised and he was transferred a day later to Belfast. | A short time later, a nurse checking on Hugh found him choking. His condition was described as critical but it later stabilised and he was transferred a day later to Belfast. |
Giving evidence, his father Hugh told the inquest that he stayed with his son until he had finished his food and then left for a break. | Giving evidence, his father Hugh told the inquest that he stayed with his son until he had finished his food and then left for a break. |
But a nurse who also gave evidence said that when she discovered Hugh he had taken just one bite of a full burger. | But a nurse who also gave evidence said that when she discovered Hugh he had taken just one bite of a full burger. |
Under cross examination from the family's legal representatives, the nurse said it was possible that the child could have been given another burger. | Under cross examination from the family's legal representatives, the nurse said it was possible that the child could have been given another burger. |
Giving their evidence, two doctors who treated the child said they could not explain what had caused him to choke. | Giving their evidence, two doctors who treated the child said they could not explain what had caused him to choke. |
They agreed with the coroner's findings. | They agreed with the coroner's findings. |
Speaking afterwards, Hugh's mother Maureen said she and her husband had been left devastated by the death of their only son but said the inquest had brought them some closure. | |
"Half of me has gone. | |
"I work with these children now, I work in the school that he attended, and it rewards me, but at the same time it gives me strength too because I know Hugh's still there. | |
"I know nothing will bring him back but after five years it is closure," she said. |
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