jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

Health officials are awaiting the results of tests following the death of a seven-year-old boy.

The child was a pupil at English Martyrs Roman Catholic School in Frindsbury Road, Strood.

He died at Medway Maritime Hospital on Tuesday. Early reports linked the child's death to swine flu but health officials said this was unlikely.

Dr Mathi Chandrakumar, director of the Health Protection Agency for Kent and Medway, confirmed that initial investigations showed the cause of death is unlikely to be swine flu.

Yvonne Doyle, regional director of public health for NHS South East Coast said: "‘We are currently investigating the death of a seven-year-old who died on Tuesday.

"The child was admitted to hospital with a range of complications which were not related to swine flu. The cause of death has not been confirmed and we are awaiting test results.’

A spokesman for Medway Maritime Hospital, said: "Medway NHS Foundation Trust can confirm that, sadly, there was a child death in Medway this week. At this present time, the cause of death is unknown."

A mum of a child who attends the school, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I can tell you a boy at the school has died but it’s not been confirmed if he died from swine flu.

“An email was sent out to parents on Friday, July 17. I believe a mass will be held for him at the English Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Strood on Tuesday.”

The school will stay open to staff and pupils until Wednesday, which is when the school was due to break up for the summer holidays.

kmfm reporter Rhona Pinkerson speaks to Dr Alison Barnett, medical director at NHS Medway

Rose Collinson, director of children and adults at Medway Council, said: “I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the boy’s family and friends.
“English Martyrs’ is a very close-knit school. Everyone at the school will be pulling together and praying for this little boy’s family.
“The school decided to go ahead with the end of term disco. The children will want to carry on as normal and that is the best thing for them.
“My understanding from the head teacher is that the little boy had a fantastic voice and he would have been the life and soul of the party.
“Every child’s death is investigated in Medway and nationally – clearly, it is happening in this case. The very early indications are that the boy did not die of swine flu.”
“We have been working with the head teacher and taken advice from our director of public health and the decision was made for the school to remain open until the end of term.”