Tragedy of bubbly boy found hanging at home

Connar Kiedyk was found at his home in Grimsby and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but died a short time later.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the youngster’s death, but said it was not being treated as suspicious.

Connar, a pupil at Welholme Community Primary School in Grimsby, was adopted three years ago by charity worker Anthony Kiedyk, 40, and his 38-year-old wife Ursula, who had been fostering him for a number of years. He was one of three children adopted by the couple, who began fostering in 2005.

Mrs Kiedyk said: “It is a tragic accident. He will be sorely missed. He was such a bubbly, active boy.”

She said Connar was an avid Manchester United fan who loved going to school.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Friday, and the results are expected to be reported to Grimsby and North Lincolnshire Coroner Paul Kelly today.

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said officers were called by the ambulance service at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, and were told that staff had found him unconscious.

He was treated before being taken to hospital but could not be saved, she said.

The spokeswoman said: “A nine-year-old boy was treated by paramedics and taken to Grimsby’s Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital with life-threatening injuries and sadly died a short time later.

“Inquiries are on-going to establish the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident but at this time the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said two crews of paramedics attended the address and treated the boy, who was not breathing, and took him to hospital within 11 minutes of the 999 call.

A specialist paediatric resuscitation team awaited his arrival at hospital, but he was pronounced dead.

Welholme Primary headteacher Delyse Turrell said everyone involved with the school was “devastated” by Connar’s death.

She said: “The school is aware and dealing with a tragic incident concerning one of our Year Five pupils.

“In accordance with local guidelines and procedures, this involves working with other relevant agencies.

“The whole school community are devastated at the news and the thoughts of us all are with the family and friends at this time.”

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing into the death of a 12-year-old boy from Harrogate who is believed to have taken his own life at home.

Jordan Green, a pupil at Harrogate High School, was discovered dead at 9.20pm on Wednesday at his home in Duncan Street, Bilton.

North Yorkshire Police quickly dispelled rumours that he was being bullied at school after being made aware of comments on social networking websites following Jordan’s death.

A number of comments suggested that the youngster had committed suicide because he had become the target of bullying.

But the force said they had not had any reported incidents regarding Jordan, and said the comments were “wholly unsubstantiated” and had “no foundation in fact”. They also said the boy’s family had asked the school to urge pupils to stop posting the messages because of the great distress they were causing.

The school is offering counselling to pupils and staff and has set up a special tribute room where pupils can leave messages, flowers and mementoes and take time to reflect on the tragedy.

Andrew Bayston, the principal of Harrogate High School, said the school was deeply shocked and saddened by Jordan’s death, and described him as a “lively Year 7 student who had a particular passion and talent for art”.

Flowers were laid outside Jordan’s home after the tragedy emerged.

He was pronounced dead at his home by paramedics and an inquest into his death which will aim to establish how he died was opened and adjourned in Harrogate on Friday.