2:22pm Monday 19th July 2010
By Julian Robinson
THE head teacher of the Hampshire nine-year-old who died in a rope-swing accident in his own garden has said helping teachers and pupils come to terms with the tragedy has been one of the hardest things he has faced in his career.
Steve Morrison paid tribute to Jamie Bray as “a popular lads’ lad”, who was “into everything”.
The boy’s mum found him tangled in a rope in the garden of their Bishop’s Waltham home, as reported in Saturday’s Echo.
It happened just half an hour after he had returned from St John the Baptist CoE Primary School last Tuesday afternoon.
The swing he was on was also a rope ladder from a tree house in the garden.
Despite horse riding instructor Sarah Bray’s efforts to revive her son, who had suffered a broken neck, he was pronounced dead shortly after being airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.
Mr Morrison, head at the 325-pupil Waltham Chase school, said Jamie, who was in Year 4, was a “popular boy” who had lots of friends.
He added: “He liked karate and football, horse riding and any outdoor things – he was just a lads’ lad, into everything.”
Children at the school were told of Jamie’s death the following day and the school has opened a book of condolences for youngsters and parents.
Mr Morrison said: “Wednesday was one of the toughest days of my school career.
“The whole school community is devastated but I was immensely proud of the way the children supported the staff and the staff supported the children – it was exemplary.
“Everyone was in it together and it was almost palpable, the emotion.We’re left with this sort of vacuum.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time – any parent won’t know how anyone can cope with that sort of sudden loss.”
Over the weekend, Jamie’s uncle Chris Wheal issued a statement on behalf of the family, which revealed Jamie was a member of Solent Riding Club Juniors, had a pony named Mini, and was a member of Ryukin Ryu Karate Club.
Mr Wheal added: “No one will ever know exactly what happened to Jamie because no one saw the accident.
“We believe from what we have been told of the pathologist’s report that he fell from a height and it was quite an impact.
“They are telling us he was instantly unconscious. That was it as far as he was concerned. He didn’t feel any pain and he didn’t suffer. His mum and dad are taking some comfort from that as, I am sure, his friends will.”
■ Anyone wishing to make donations in memory of Jamie can do so to St John the Baptist School or Cancer Research UK.
Donations are being handled by Nigel Chamberlain & Partners, Funeral Directors, Bishop’s Waltham.
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