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Suicide jump boy had died at home | Suicide jump boy had died at home |
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A five-year-old boy whose body was found at Beachy Head with those of his parents had died from meningitis at his home four days earlier, police said. | A five-year-old boy whose body was found at Beachy Head with those of his parents had died from meningitis at his home four days earlier, police said. |
Sam Puttick, who was discovered in a rucksack at the East Sussex beauty spot on Monday, was discharged from hospital on Friday and died later. | Sam Puttick, who was discovered in a rucksack at the East Sussex beauty spot on Monday, was discharged from hospital on Friday and died later. |
His parents Kazumi and Neil Puttick wanted Sam, who was quadriplegic, to die at home in Westbury, Wiltshire. | |
Police said they were satisfied the couple had "taken their own lives". | Police said they were satisfied the couple had "taken their own lives". |
Mr Puttick, 34, and his 44-year-old wife lived with Sam at Wishing Well Farm in Brokerswood in Westbury. | |
'Great sadness' | 'Great sadness' |
Sam had been paralysed from the neck down following a car crash in July 2005. | |
He needed equipment to help him breathe and a website called "stuff4sam" was created to help raise funds for his care. | He needed equipment to help him breathe and a website called "stuff4sam" was created to help raise funds for his care. |
A statement posted on the website on Tuesday said: "It is with great sadness we have to share the terrible news about Neil, Kazumi and Sam. | A statement posted on the website on Tuesday said: "It is with great sadness we have to share the terrible news about Neil, Kazumi and Sam. |
"Sam died from meningitis on Friday and it seems that Neil and Kazumi took their own lives shortly after that." | "Sam died from meningitis on Friday and it seems that Neil and Kazumi took their own lives shortly after that." |
We are all better for knowing them and Sam could not have wished for better parents Statement on stuff4sam website | We are all better for knowing them and Sam could not have wished for better parents Statement on stuff4sam website |
It continues: "We are all very shocked at this terrible news and thinking of everyone who cared for Sam or were close to Neil and Kazumi who are dealing with this tragic situation. | It continues: "We are all very shocked at this terrible news and thinking of everyone who cared for Sam or were close to Neil and Kazumi who are dealing with this tragic situation. |
"We are all better for knowing them and Sam could not have wished for better parents." | "We are all better for knowing them and Sam could not have wished for better parents." |
Det Insp Ian Williams, of Sussex Police, said: "I am satisfied that Samuel's grieving parents Neil and Kazumi appear to have taken their own lives. | Det Insp Ian Williams, of Sussex Police, said: "I am satisfied that Samuel's grieving parents Neil and Kazumi appear to have taken their own lives. |
"This is a tragic incident and we extend our sympathies to their family and to the large number of friends and carers affected." | "This is a tragic incident and we extend our sympathies to their family and to the large number of friends and carers affected." |
Sam had been receiving treatment for pneumococcal meningitis at the Paediatric Intensive Children's Unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. | Sam had been receiving treatment for pneumococcal meningitis at the Paediatric Intensive Children's Unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. |
Bag of toys | Bag of toys |
A spokesman for Bath and North East Somerset NHS said: "When it became clear that Sam had no hope of recovery from his severe infection, he was discharged to his family home at his parents' request." | A spokesman for Bath and North East Somerset NHS said: "When it became clear that Sam had no hope of recovery from his severe infection, he was discharged to his family home at his parents' request." |
He was certified dead at the family home by a doctor at about 2000 BST. | He was certified dead at the family home by a doctor at about 2000 BST. |
The spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. | The spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. |
The deaths will be the subject of an extensive investigation and inquest. | The deaths will be the subject of an extensive investigation and inquest. |
The NHS said the discharge to home of seriously ill children was an accepted part of the palliative withdrawal of treatment to support the families of dying children. | The NHS said the discharge to home of seriously ill children was an accepted part of the palliative withdrawal of treatment to support the families of dying children. |
Rescuers found a second rucksack, full of toys, near the bodies. | Rescuers found a second rucksack, full of toys, near the bodies. |
A silver Volkswagen camper van was recovered from a roadside car park about 200 yards (183m) from the cliff edge. | A silver Volkswagen camper van was recovered from a roadside car park about 200 yards (183m) from the cliff edge. |
Coastguards on routine patrol first spotted what they thought were two bodies 400ft (120m) down the cliff face on Sunday evening. | Coastguards on routine patrol first spotted what they thought were two bodies 400ft (120m) down the cliff face on Sunday evening. |
The two rucksacks were discovered on Monday and the bodies recovered by 1400 BST. | The two rucksacks were discovered on Monday and the bodies recovered by 1400 BST. |
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The three bodies were recovered from Beachy Head on Monday | The three bodies were recovered from Beachy Head on Monday |