Boy dies more than a week after falling from staircase at school
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Version 0 of 1. A 12-year-old boy has died more than a week after falling from a staircase at a school in Norwich. The year 7 pupil, named locally as Michael Sousa, was admitted to hospital following the incident at Jane Austen College on 23 January, a day after his birthday. In a statement issued on Thursday the school confirmed Michael had died. “Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he did not recover from his injuries and died in hospital,” the statement said. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. “We are making sure that fellow students have the support they need both immediately and in the days ahead.” A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it had been called to the school at 3.34pm on 23 January after reports of a “young boy who had fallen from height”. An air ambulance took him to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge in a serious condition and he was treated for a serious head injury before his death. College principal Rebecca Handley Kirk said: “We are devastated by these events, and we send our thoughts and our love to Michael’s family and friends. “Michael had only joined us in September, but was already becoming a well-known student throughout the school, thanks to his lively personality. Michael enjoyed football, making jokes and being with his friends. “These tragic events are upsetting for students, parents and staff, but we will continue to support each other, as a strong and loving school community, and we will be making time to remember Michael in the days and weeks ahead.” Members of Michael’s family paid tribute to him on Facebook. His cousin Márcia De Sousa wrote: “My cousin Michael had a terrible accident on Monday the 23rd of January at school, the day after his 12th birthday he fell down the stairs and broke his skull. He has been fighting for his life in hospital since but unfortunately today we had to say goodbye to him. “On behalf of my family and Michael’s parents, I want to thank everyone who has been praying for him and helping us and everyone who has him in their thoughts, thank you.” A fundraising site had been set up to raise money for Michael’s mother, who has two other children and left her job as a support worker and carer to look after her son following the incident. On its website, Jane Austen College is described as a state-funded, co-educational secondary school for children aged 11 to 19. The Health and Safety Executive have been informed of the incident. Norfolk police also confirmed they attended the scene. |