‘Bubbly’ boy died after being found near field
ASCHOOLBOY who “had his whole life ahead of him” died in hospital nearly three weeks after being found hanged near a playing field, an inquest heard yesterday.
An inquest into the death of 11-year-old Dylan Afandi at Newport Civic Centre heard that he was discovered on a mountain path near Brynithel rugby pitch on Penrhiw Estate in Brynithel, Blaenau Gwent, at around 6.15pm on May 11 last year.
He was taken to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, by ambulance where he died 18 days later on May 29.
Dylan, of Prince Andrew Road, Pen-twyn, near Abertillery, was described as a “happy, bubbly, and bright boy” by those giving evidence, who also said that he showed no signs he was troubled or had any intention to take his own life.
A witness statement from a local resident said his son was walking their dog along the path when he discovered what he believed to be the body of a man.
After being alerted by his son, the witness and a neighbour ran to the scene where they discovered Dylan and began administering CPR before calling for an ambulance just after 6.30pm.
An ambulance arrived at the scene five minutes later and paramedics took over CPR before Dylan was taken to the accident and emergency department at University Hospital of Wales.
He was unresponsive upon arrival at the hospital and CT and MRI scans showed he had suffered a severe brain injury due to oxygen deprivation to the brain.
After staying in hospital for more than two weeks Dylan’s family then made the decision to reorient his care to palliative care. He was extubated on May 29 and died at 5.40pm that day.
The medical cause of death was given as 1a. hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and 1b. hanging.
In a statement Dylan’s mother Sarah Morris paid tribute to her son and described him as “a bubbly, cheeky little monkey”.
She said: “Mammy’s brightest, happiest, funny little boy – you have left a massive hole in all our hearts.
“We all miss you dearly and God has gained you way too early. You had your whole life ahead of you and we will forever be heartbroken. Until we meet again – lots of love, Mammy and family.”
The inquest heard that Ms Morris had not seen her son since June 16, 2016, and was not aware of where he was living or what he was doing, as Dylan’s father had been granted full custody after they separated.
It also heard that Dylan was born in Llantrisant on June 2, 2008, and was a bright boy who was in the top set for every subject at school.
Katie Ralph, who married Dylan’s father in 2014 and has had four children with him, said Dylan was “his normal happy self ” on May 11 and in the days leading up to his death.
She said he got up as normal, ran errands, helped in the garden, and was planning what he wanted to do for his sister’s birthday.
Later that day he went shopping with Ms Ralph at Asda, but stole some pens and chocolate biscuits from the store, which was described as out of character.
That evening Dylan sought permission to go for a long walk before dinner, which was something he had done frequently during lockdown.
He was usually gone for an hour but when he did not return after around one-and-a-half hours, with his dinner on the table, his family became concerned and later received a phone call telling them a boy had been found on the path near the rugby pitch.
“He was a very happy boy,” Ms Ralph said. “He was helpful around the house and playing with his younger siblings. He was great with them, especially the baby.”
The inquest heard that Dylan had previously lived in Newquay where he attended primary school before moving with his family to the Trinant area and starting high school.
Ms Ralph said there had been some incidents of bullying towards Dylan at primary school and one at high school when he was deliberately tripped over.
She said he had become less open after starting high school but she said he was generally happy and a bright student.
Recording a conclusion of misadventure coroner Sarah Le Fevre said: “This is perhaps one of the saddest cases that I’ve ever dealt with as a coroner.
“Dylan was described universally as a happy, bubbly, playful boy who wanted to help and make people laugh.
“I extend my sincerest condolences to all of the family who are here today and those who are not here.
“I just cannot be sure that Dylan intended to take his own life and that being the case I can’t record a conclusion of suicide. It seems to me that misadventure is the appropriate conclusion.”
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