Pupil, 6, dies ‘choking on lunch’

A GIRL of six died after choking on her lunch at school, it emerged yesterday.

The tragedy happened when Chantelle Frith sat down to eat at Pentland Primary School in Billingham, Teesside.

The little girl was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton but despite efforts to revive her she later died.

A post-mortem examination has revealed she died after choking on a piece of food.

It is unclear whether she was eating from a packed lunch or a school dinner.

Chantelle lived with her grandmother, Denise Firth, 47, her legal guardian, in Billingham. Her parents, Christopher Firth, 27, and Karen Mccue, 27, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, have learning difficulties, an inquest at Teesside Coroner’s Court also heard.

Her relatives were too distressed to comment last night.

Police are investigating to determine how the accident occurred last Thursday.

Flowers, teddy bears and cards were laid at the school gates at the weekend and parents spoke yesterday of their shock. One, who did not wish to be named, said she was considering pulling her son out of the school.

She said: ‘I know children have accidents but you wonder how a child can choke to death.’

A resident added: ‘It is shocking, so scary, you think they’re safe at school.’

The school’s head teacher Hazel Ducker said: ‘Chantelle was a very popular girl and our whole school community is devastated by the tragic loss of such a lovely, gentle and kind child. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to her family.’

The inquest was adjourned.