Blind teenager using a wheelchair dies falling down stairs
A blind teenager using a wheelchair has died after he fell down a flight of stairs at a Birmingham special school.
The 15-year-old was understood to have suffered injuries including a broken neck and passed away at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
He died on Tuesday after being fatally injured in the fall at Mayfield School in Lozells last Friday afternoon.
It was not clear how the tragedy happened.
West Midlands Police initially launched an investigation, but referred the matter to the coroner after determining the death was not suspicious.
A source with knowledge of the tragedy said: “A child with special needs fell down a flight of stairs in a wheelchair.
“He was at school at the time.
“I don’t know how he got down the stairs, he shouldn’t have been there.
“We don’t know how it happened and the family are distraught.”
Birmingham City Council’s executive director for education, Colin Diamond, also confirmed the incident.
The school was closed today, Wednesday, to pupils.
Mr Diamond said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of a student at Mayfield School following a tragic incident at the school on Friday.
“We send our condolences to his family and will do all we can to support them at this extremely difficult time.
“We are working closely with staff to support the school and its community and are also working with all agencies, including the police, while the circumstances of this tragic event are fully investigated.”
The air ambulance was sent to the school in Wheeler Street after the accident but the boy was rushed to hospital via land ambulance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called at 12.19pm to Mayfield School in Lozells to reports of a boy had fallen.
“Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford were sent to the scene.
“On arrival, crews discovered a boy who had fallen and was in a serious condition.
“Following emergency treatment at the scene he was transported to Birmingham Children’s Hospital by land ambulance.
“The doctor from the air ambulance travelled in the ambulance to continue treatment en-route.”