By Gavin Mackintosh-
A year 7 pupil has died following a “medical emergency” at an Essex school. Police and paramedics were called to the School shortly after lunch time today, following the sudden death of the pupil.
A crowd gathered on Delaware Road in Thorpe Bay, Essex, opposite Shoeburyness High School from around 1.30 pm, curious for information about the incident in the school that had attracted several police cars and ambulances.
A circulating rumour when members of this publication arrived on the scene shortly before 1.45pm was initially that there had been a stabbing in the school, but representatives of the school confirmed to The Eye Of Media.Com that this was merely a speculation arrived at by concerned parents because of the sheer number of police officers and emergency vehicles.
Officers eventually confirmed a Year Seven boy(age 11 or 12) died at the scene and the boy’s death is being treated as unexplained. A file is now due to be prepared for the coroner.
His identification has not been released at the parents request, who are devastated by the news.
Essex police are still at the school this morning, probing the situation more.
District Commander Ian Hughes of Essex Police said: “I would like to offer my condolences to the boy’s family and we are doing everything we can to support them through this tragic and difficult time. Our officers remain in at the school at this time to continue our enquiries.
Essex Police, paramedics and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance swarmed into Shoebury High school, citing a medical emergency at a school in Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea today. The police were called soon after 1pm today after concerns were raised about the welfare of a student.
Earlier in the day, in a statement published on Facebook at around 3.30pm, Essex Police said they were treating the event as a medical episode. Below is the full statement from Essex Police.
“We will continue to investigate the circumstances into the boy’s death and will work with the school tomorrow. We are aware of comments on social media, and we want to reassure the local community and parents of pupils at the school, no knife was involved during this tragic incident.”
Police woman and teaching staff guard school gate Image:lalena callaghan
In a letter to parents, the school said: “At lunchtime today there was a medical issue that involved one child; no other individuals were involved. The ambulance and air ambulance service supported the child, and were assisted by the police who then remained on site as part of their protocol and to support staff and students.
“We are currently on scene with colleagues from the ambulance service at a school in #Shoeburyness, assisting paramedics with a medical emergency. We were called by ambulance colleagues just before . following concerns for the welfare of a young person.
Helicopter flies straight into school Image:lalena Callaghan
residents nearby speculate on cause of emergency Image:Lalena Callaghan
A statement from Shoeburyness school read: ”At approximately 1:15pm yesterday a Year 7 child at Shoeburyness High School suffered a medical emergency. This did not involve anyone else. First aid was immediately given and the ambulance service were called. Both land and air ambulance services attended, along with Essex Police, due to the severity of the issue. Tragically, despite the best efforts of the ambulance service and school staff, the child died.
Our thoughts are with the family at this time and along with the Police we are doing everything we can to support them during this very difficult time. In line with this, we are not naming the child.
The school is open this morning and specialist support has been brought in for both children and staff to access.
We would also like to confirm that contrary to some rumours in the community and to reassure parents, this was a medical emergency only and no other persons or weapons of any kind were involved”.