Staff ‘thought tot was sleeping’

A 10-MONTH-OLD baby boy has died after choking on a piece of mango at a nursery.

The tot was rushed to hospital after the incident at the Bright Horizons nursery in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

He died on Wednesday, It’s thought that his parents were at his bedside.

It’s understood staff saw the baby slumped over and thought he was sleeping, but when they tried to rouse him they discovered his lips were blue and he was not responding.

A source at the nursery said: “At the moment it’s unclear whether anyone actually saw him choke but he was thought to have been sleeping at first. Staff are distraught and some will need counselling.

“There will be a thorough investigation from all the relevant bodies including the police, but questions must be asked if this BY JANE HAMILTON Crime Reporter baby was unsupervised.”

A shocked mum told how parents were contacted to collect their children after the tragedy and were told the nursery in the Corstorphine district of the capital would eating remain closed until further notice.

She said: “The police came and closed the nursery. Everyone is devastated. It’s horrendous.

“He was a lovely wee baby. I really feel for the parents. It’s terrifying when something like this happens as so many people put their trust in others to look after their children.”

Police said: “Officers in Edinburgh were contacted after a 10-month-old boy took unwell in a private nursery in Corstorphine on Tuesday.

“The child was taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children where he sadly passed away on Wednesday.

“The death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.” Staff at the nursery said: “We are devastated. Our thoughts are with the family.

“Obviously we are co-operating fully with the authorities. The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is our absolute priority.

“The nursery will be closed while we support our staff and families. In the meantime we have arranged for our families to be offered alternative care at neighbouring nurseries.”

City councillor Robert Aldridge said: “There must be a full investigation so we can make sure there is no repeat of this.”