A SCHOOLGIRL collapsed at school after having toast for breakfast and later died in hospital, an inquest has heard.
Pearl Unu-Arubi, 12, who suffered from asthma attacks, died on on March 30 after going into cardiac arrest at Rochester Grammar School, Kent, 10 days before.
MirrorpixPearl Unu-Arubi, 12, died in March[/caption]
Pearl was a Year 7 student at Rochester Grammar School and the talented youngster had hopes of becoming a lawyer.
But on March 20, 2023 she stopped breathing for eight minutes and then spent 10 days in a critical condition before she sadly passed away.
On Friday an inquest into her death heard how she “was known to have asthma” and food allergies, reports KentOnline.
Area coroner Katrina Hepburn told how she had been told by doctors she could start reintroducing wheat back into her diet – and on March 20 she had toast for breakfast.
The youngster had also taken anti-allegry tablets – but later that day her “breathing became more difficult” while at school and she went into cardiac arrest.
The court heard Pearl was ventilated and taken by helicopter to King’s College Hospital in London in critical condition.
She died 10 days later from a severe brain injury.
Her parents Weyimi and Paul have now paid tribute to their “kind” and “compassionate” daughter.
Weyimi said: “Pearl was a selfless, kind, passionate and fun-loving child. She had the most amazing personality. She lit up the room with her smile and had the most infectious laugh.
“Pearl made friends easily in primary school and the short time she was in secondary school. It was said she was a cherished member among her peers.
“Pearl was our rock, as young as she was, she was intelligent and smart and I found myself taking advice from Pearl. She was our friend and was far advanced in her intellect and reasoning.
“She was liked by all teachers and adults in her primary school. She had more than 1,000 people come to say goodbye to her on the night of her vigil.”
Weyimi added that her family now carries a “massive hole in our hearts”.
She explained: “Pearl will always be ingrained in our hearts until we meet again in eternity. Sleep now, my warrior princess.”
A pre-inquest review into Pearl’s death will be held on November 23 at Oakwood House in Maidstone.
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