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Little Aswi ran to the playground as the bell rang little knowing what would befall him
View(s):Pix and text by Suranga Rajanayaka
The tragic incident of a tree crashing down on a preschool playground and snatching away the life of a five-year-old student once again brought attention to the safety of students at preschools and schools.
The student, fondly known as ‘Aswi’, had only been at the Montessori at Gampola Benhill International School for three weeks.
When the bell rang for break time, the little students, including Aswi, had run outside to the playground with their class teacher and another assistant keeping an eye on them.
Aswi was pronounced dead on admission to hospital
Within minutes, part of a huge tree from the adjacent compound came crashing down. Aswi and two other students who were seriously injured were rushed to Gampola Hospital, but little Aswi was pronounced dead.
The 79-foot-tall tree called ‘Kudu-Daula‘ was on the adjoining land.
Aswi’s class teacher, Fatima Faizal said, “I went with all 31 children to the playground. There is a merry go-round there. Aswi and three others were playing close to it. All of a sudden, a huge tree came crashing. Everything happened suddenly.
“One branch hit my head too. I saw four students fallen under the branches. Two were lying unconscious,” she said.
Aswi’s father, Mohamad Hamsa, said he has three children, and Aswi was the oldest. “This is like a nightmare,” the tearful father said.
Mohomad Hasin Aswi’s uncle said he had got a call from the school informing him that his elder son was sick and he had rushed to school. “As soon as I approached the school, I heard a big noise from the side of the montessori and I ran towards it. A tree had fallen, and my son had minor injuries. I immediately looked out for my brother’s son. I learned he had been taken to the hospital. I rushed there on my bike. There, I learned he had already passed away.”
He said the safety of students should be given priority and school authorities should look into removing unsafe trees, especially close to play areas not just in this school, but in others too.
Gampola Judicial Medical Officer Sachinthana Ranathunga said Aswi had died of injuries to the brain.
Gampola Hospital’s inquirer into sudden deaths had visited the school and inspected the premises. He emphasised that attention shouild be given to averting incidents that undermine the safety of children. He also instructed to remove other trees that could pose a danger to the students.
A special investigation was conducted by Etgala Police OIC Senarath Kekulandara.
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