13-Year-Old tragically dies after shocking incident.
A heartbreaking incident has left a family in mourning and a community stunned.
Tragic death shocks community.
Karanbir Cheema, a 13-year-old boy from London, UK, tragically died after a piece of cheese was thrown at him by a classmate.
This shocking event unfolded on June 28, 2017, during what seemed to be a typical school day.
Severe allergies exposed.
Karanbir was known to have severe allergies to various foods, including dairy, wheat, gluten, egg, milk, and tree nuts.
Despite these allergies, Karanbir was a vibrant and active student, always carrying an EpiPen for emergencies.
Classmate’s prank turns deadly.
The tragedy struck when a classmate, unaware of the severity of Karanbir’s allergies, playfully threw a piece of cheese at him.
The cheese made contact with Karanbir’s skin, hitting his neck, which triggered a severe allergic reaction.
Within moments, Karanbir’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
He was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where doctors fought to save his life.
Post-cardiac arrest syndrome.
Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, Karanbir’s condition worsened, leading to post-cardiac arrest syndrome.
Karanbir’s parents faced the unimaginable decision of turning off his life-support machine days after the incident.
Mother’s heartbreaking testimony revealed.
His mother, Rina Cheema, recalled the harrowing moment on ITV’s This Morning, saying, “We didn’t want to switch it off – it wasn’t fair on his little body to go through this.”
She tearfully shared that Karanbir had a smile on his face as they said their final goodbyes.
This incident has drawn attention to the critical importance of awareness regarding food allergies.
Expired EpiPen escalated situation.
Karanbir’s EpiPen, which could have saved his life, was discovered to be almost a year out of date.
This outdated medication was the only adrenaline administered before Karanbir suffered cardiac arrest.
The classmate who threw the cheese claimed he was merely “playing around” and was unaware of Karanbir’s severe allergies.
Call for better education.
The case has highlighted the need for better education and awareness about food allergies in schools.
Dr. Adam Fox, a paediatric allergy consultant, testified at the inquest into Karanbir’s death in 2019.
He stated, “Where this case is extraordinarily unusual is the nature of the event that led to the anaphylaxis.”
Severe allergic reactions through skin contact alone are extremely rare, making this case almost unprecedented.
Dr. Fox added, “I’ve canvassed widely around this and I’m not aware of any fatal cases.”
Questioning protocols.
The tragic event has left many questioning the protocols in place to protect children with severe allergies.
Karanbir’s family has been advocating for better measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Somber reminder.
Karanbir’s death serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of food allergies.
Schools are urged to review their policies and ensure all emergency medications are up to date.
Parents of children with severe allergies are calling for increased awareness and education.
The incident has sparked discussions on the need for better training for school staff.
Resonating story.
Karanbir’s story has resonated with many, highlighting the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance.
As Karanbir’s family mourns their loss, they hope his story will bring about positive change.
They are advocating for stricter regulations and more robust support systems for children with severe allergies.
This tragic event has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the community.