Mum fought to save Jamie Bray who died after his neck tangled in rope (From Daily Echo)

Mum fought to save Jamie Bray who died after his neck tangled in rope

4:50pm Saturday 17th July 2010 in

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A NINE-year-old boy has died in a tragic accident on a rope swing in his own garden.

James Bray is thought to have hanged after becoming tangled in a rope and broken his neck at his Bishop's Waltham home.

His mum managed to resuscitate him briefly but he lost consciousness again.

He was flown to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance but was pronounced dead a short while later.

Today his devastated mother Sarah, 42, paid tribute to her son, who she described as the “funniest, cleverest, cheekiest little boy in the world”.

She said: “There are no words to tell you how much I love that little boy.

“I just feel like dying. I can’t imagine how we are going to live without him. He was my baby and he is gone forever.”

Jamie’s uncle Chris Wheal, 44, added: “This is every parent’s nightmare. Our family hasn’t even started to come to terms with Jamie’s death yet. Sarah, Richard and Sam will need a lot of space to get over this.”

Police were alerted by ambulance crews at about 5pm on Tuesday after James was found unconscious by his mother in the garden of their five bedroom detached house at Beeches Hill, Northbrook.

Police said he had only been home from school for about half an hour and had been playing on a swing in the back garden when he got tangled in the rope, which was hanging from a tree.

They said Jamie’s elder brother is Sam, 11, was also at home at the time.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Specialist Investigations Department are investigating. They said they are no suspicious circumstances.

An inquest into the youngster’s death has been opened. Central Hampshire coroner’s office listed the possible cause of Jamie’s death as hanging.

Jamie attended St John the Baptist School in Waltham Chase.

In a statement his family said he was a busy, active child who loved maths, science and building things.

He was a member of Solent Riding Club Juniors and loved to jump, gallop, compete on and care for a beloved pony called Mini.

Jamie was also a member of Ryukin Ryu Karate Club.

Family friends have been offering their condolences to Sarah, Sam and father Richard via the social networking website.

A tree house by the front gate of the Brays’ home last night had flowers and a candle laid underneath as a tribute to the youngster.

His family said any donations should be made to St John the Baptist School or Cancer Research UK.

The donations are being handled by Nigel Chamberlain & Partners, Funeral Directors, Bishops Waltham.