Indian-origin boy in UK dies of allergy after cheese prank
London, July 12
A 13-year-old Indian-origin boy with a dairy allergy died here in the UK after suffering a severe reaction to a piece of cheese allegedly forced on him by a schoolmate, prompting the Scotland Yard to launch a probe.
Karanbir Cheema died on Sunday after suffering a severe reaction to a piece of cheese allegedly forced upon him at school last month during a school break.
Karanbir, known as Karan, was allergic to wheat, gluten and dairy, eggs, and nuts and his condition was well-known at school. Another 13-year-old boy, a school-mate of Cheema, was arrested and questioned over the death, which is being treated as a criminal matter. On June 28, he went to the school office to inform them of a reaction to some cheese and staff gave him medication kept specially for him but his condition quickly worsened and he was rushed to hospital.
Doctors at Great Ormond Street hospital in London struggled to save his life but he died on Sunday. His parents, Amarjeet and Rina who were by his bedside, are now demanding answers from the William Perkin High Church of England High School in Greenford and questioning exactly what caused their son’s sudden death.
“I am speaking out because maybe lessons can be learnt. I do not want another family to suffer like this,” Amarjeet said.
The executive head teacher, Alice Hudson, said staff were fully aware of Karan’s allergies and gave him his special medication before paramedics arrived. — PTI
parents seek answers from school
My son had allergies to dairy products but he was very careful. He had a very bright future. There are a million things he could have done with his life. He was a bright, bright boy, kind and gentle. We are just devastated — Amarjeet Cheema, father
I want answers, I want to get to the bottom of what happened. I will be asking the school if he was bullied but my son was very popular, you could not help but like that child, he never made enemies. He was an angel and a selfless boy — Rina, mother
