Five staff suspended over pupil's asthma death

Sam Linton died after neglect at Offerton High School, in

Stockport, "significantly contributed" to his death, the inquest jury ruled.

He was made to sit in a corridor struggling to breathe, no ambulance was called and by the time his mother was summoned to the school his lips were turning blue.

The boy died a few hours later in hospital on December 4, 2007.

Stockport Council yesterday said five staff have been suspended from the school. A spokesman said the suspensions are while an internal inquiry is carried out. He refused to name the staff.

The three-week inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court heard how valuable time was lost as Sam was made to sit in the corridor.

The jury ruled last week Sam's death was by natural causes but significantly contributed to by neglect on an "individual and systemic level".

His parents, Paul and Karen Linton, have called for stronger

implementation of first aid procedures at the school.

Mr Linton described the council's move as a "knee-jerk reaction" and too little, too late.

Jonathan Betts, partner at Irwin Mitchell law firm in Manchester, who is representing the family, said the council's conduct was an "insult" and inadequate.

Mr Betts said: "What is desperately needed is simple, clear advice to teachers and schools on how to keep every child suffering from asthma in Stockport and throughout the rest of the UK safe in school."