'Polite' Reading boy choked on tomatoes, Oxford inquest told

Staff at Kidmore End Primary School, near Reading, began attempts to try and save 10-year-old Oscar Roome’s life when the alarm was raised by year six pupils.

Paramedics arrived on the school field within 14 minutes of the 999 call having been made from the school building at 12.30pm on June 23, Oxford Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday (October 17).

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They were able to return his blood circulation around 30 minutes after the emergency call.

The stricken schoolboy was taken first to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and then, later that day, was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

Oscar Roome, who died aged just 10 in June Picture: Family (Image: Family handout)

The inquest heard CT scans revealed that the boy had suffered significant injuries as a result of his brain being starved of oxygen while his teachers then ambulance crews performed CPR.

His death was confirmed on the afternoon of June 24, around 24 hours after the emergency services were called to the school.

On Tuesday, Oscar was described by teaching assistant Kirstie Wilson as a "kind, polite and courteous boy".

Her statement was one of a number provided by staff at Kidmore End that were summarised by Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter as he conducted an inquest into the schoolboy’s death.

The inquest was told that Oscar "loved cherry tomatoes" and that he ate the fruit daily as part of the packed lunch he took with him to school.

Teaching assistant Elizabeth Chandler said she heard children shouting "teacher, teacher" and turned round to see a boy running towards her saying that Oscar was choking.

Oxford Coroner's Court (Image: Oxford Mail)

Mrs Chandler sent a child to get more help as she realised that it was not a case of food that had "gone down the wrong way".

Other teachers and staff members came to help, slapping Oscar on the back, performing the Heimlich manoeuvre then beginning CPR, the court was told.

Paramedic Matthew Evans was one of those on the scene within 14 minutes of receiving the 999 call.

He removed two cherry tomatoes from the back of the boy’s throat.

Police officer Chloe Milburn reported being told by a staff member that two pupils said Oscar had put the tomatoes in his mouth as a dare.

However, doubt was thrown on that account when the officer spoke to the two boys.

Later, the coroner said the initial account of Oscar putting the tomatoes in his mouth as part of a dare was not borne out by the police inquiries.

But he added: “It was something that it appears Oscar chose to do, but of course [he] did not anticipate, clearly, the tragic, unintended consequence.”

Kidmore End primary school Picture: Google (Image: Google)

Attending the inquest alongside relatives and a family friend, Oscar’s father Duncan praised the emergency response and the work of hospital staff.

Echoing the teacher’s description of his son as polite and courteous, Mr Roome said of the suggestion his son had eaten the tomatoes as part of a challenge: “This isn’t the kind of thing he would do as a dare.”

The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Earlier this summer, Kidmore End headteacher Martina Parsons paid tribute to Oscar as a 'true gentle soul'. 

"Oscar always welcomed you with a cheery 'good morning' and asked how you were. He was unfailingly polite, holding the door open and responding to thanks every time with a sincere ‘you’re welcome’," she said.

"He loved his family and talked about them in school regularly. Most recently in school, he loved our day on the river and was thoroughly enjoying acting and singing in the Leavers’ Play alongside his friends and classmates."