A 13-year-old schoolboy with a severe dairy allergy died after a fellow pupil flicked cheese at him, an inquest has heard. Karanbir Singh Cheema, known as Karan, shouted 'I'm going to die' to staff at William Perkin Church of England high school in Greenford, west London, on 28 June 2017.
Teacher Lucjan Santos told St Pancras coroner's court that Karan approached him as break was ending, saying another pupil had put cheese down his collar. Santos said he sent Karan to the welfare officer, noting the boy 'appeared fine and spoke calmly'. However, within minutes, Karan's condition deteriorated rapidly.
First aider Bonny Campbell described Karan becoming increasingly panicked, gasping for air, and scratching his neck until blood seeped through his shirt. Staff administered Piriton, his inhaler, and an EpiPen, but the EpiPen was a year out of date. Campbell said she was told to wait 10 minutes before a second dose, and that the emergency operator did not advise otherwise.
Dr Vivien Chan, a consultant paediatrician, said the usual advice is to administer a second EpiPen after five minutes. She suggested schools should always hold copies of pupils' allergy action plans. The two boys involved, now 15, said they were unaware of Karan's allergy. The inquest continues.
