Boy chokes on sausage at school as heartbroken family 'say their final goodbyes'

31 July 2023 , 06:49

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Decklan Hayward went to school in Orange, New South Wales (Image: GoFundMe)

A seven-year-old boy who choked on a cocktail sausage in Australia will have his life-support machine turned off following the tragedy.

Decklan Hayward went to school in Orange, New South Wales for a normal day on July 19 only to find his life on the line a few hours later when the incident unfolded. He had been laughing and playing with his friends during snack time when his food became lodged in his throat. Staff and paramedics tried to save his life, but Decklan had no oxygen to his brain for 20 minutes and went into cardiac arrest.

He was airlifted to a hospital in Sydney with extensive brain damage and was placed on life support. On Friday, his parents announced they had made the heartbreaking decision to "let our boy grow his wings and go with the angels" and turn off the machines keeping him alive. They will say their final goodbyes.

Decklan is pictured with his parents, Katie Hayward and Robbie Doolan

Decklan's aunt Kaylah Hayward set up a GoFundMe page to ease the financial stress on his parents and "give our boy the send-off he deserves." She wrote: "Anyone that ever met Decky knows he was the most bubbly happy funny kid and he will always have a special place in so many of our hearts." Others remember him as a joyful, adorable and beautiful boy who made everyone laugh.

On the day of the incident, Glenroi Heights Public School principal Tegan Davis posted a letter to parents on social media. She said: "Staff immediately provided aid upon noticing [Decklan] was distressed and moved other students away from the immediate area. Classes stayed in their rooms to assist emergency services until approximately 1:15 pm."

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She also said the Department of Education would provide counsellors for students in need of support. On Friday, Ms Davis posted an update on the school's Facebook page, on behalf of his parents. Writing: "They would like you to know that Decklan is still with us and continues on life support The family is considering turning off the life support sometime next week. Our thoughts are with Decklan's family at this time. Thank you to our school community for your continued care and support for Decklan and his family."

His death will mark the second of its kind within the past six months, in the NSW central west region. In January, five-year-old Imogen Lennon choked on a cocktail sausage while in the car with her mum on the way home from swimming lessons. Just 36 miles from where Decklan died. Imogen later passed away at the hospital.

Rachel Hagan