Eight-year-old St Margaret’s pupil Joshua Hubbard who was pushed down by a classmate at school, died as a result of a fractured spine, blunt trauma to the neck and haemorrhaging in the brain, a post-mortem examination (PME) revealed.
The PME was performed yesterday on the child’s remains. An investigation in the matter has since been launched by the Ministry of Education, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam stated yesterday. Sam also stated that the matter is one of great concern and that he will be better able to comment on the issue once the investigation has been completed.
Hubbard, of Kitty, died while receiving medical attention at a private hospital in the city after he woke up in the wee hours of the morning, complaining of excruciating pain. He was allegedly pushed by another boy who wanted the rose he had bought for his mother for Valentine’s Day and became annoyed when he could not take it away.
The child’s father, Orin Hubbard, had said that when he collected his son from school on the day of the incident he appeared normal and did indicate to him that he was pushed down by another pupil, who did not even have the courtesy to tell him sorry and they continued to talk on their way home.
The man said his son did not complain of pain anywhere, or of feeling unwell apart from telling him that he wanted “puri” to eat, which he bought for him. The father only became aware that something was wrong with the child after he woke up in the wee hours of the morning, screaming for pain and was then rushed to the emergency room but efforts by doctors to save his life were unsuccessful.
