Killed by a sweet - the boy who loved life

Mohsen Hussain died after putting a sweet in his mouth at the family-run grocery shop in Brotton, east Cleveland.

Campaigners said the tragedy should serve as a warning to parents everywhere.

Mohsen, who lived in Middlesbrough, had been looking forward to a family reunion in Pakistan later this year. Instead, his parents Asif and Zahira flew out last night with his body.

Mohsen, who was described last night as fun-loving, died from a nut allergy on Monday. As he gasped for breath, his frantic father took him by car to East Cleveland Hospital, in Brotton.

He was transferred to The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where medical staff said there was nothing they could do for him.

The youngster had been playing with friends during a visit toBrotton, when he went into his family's grocer's shop and put the sweet in his mouth.

"He spat it out straight away and said he was having difficulty breathing,'' said Mr Hussain.

"He has had a reaction a couple of times in the past, but nothing like this.''

As they drove to the hospital, Mr Hussain tried to encourage Mohsen, who had asthma and had been diagnosed with the nut allergy, to "make deep breaths".

"He gave us nine years of wonderful memories and joy,'' said his father.

"He was such a loving child and had such an affinity with his extended family and had a significant amount of friends. He was so sincere.''

Mohsen spent the first couple of years of his life in Brotton, before the family moved to Middlesbrough.

Mr Hussain said: "We have two shops at Brotton, my brother has one at one end of the village. Mohsen had a lot of friends throughout the village.

"Everyone in Middlesbrough, from the schools through the whole community, has been touched. We have been surprised at the number of people who have come and grieved with us.

"I would like to thank everyone who he came into contact with Mohsen during his short life, who contributed to his life being such a joy and memorable.''

An inquest into Mohsen's death has been opened and adjourned in Middlesbrough, and a memorial service has taken place at the local mosque.

He will be buried in Pakistan, where he has grandparents and uncles. Mr Hussain said: "We have to go and grieve with them.''

The tragedy came three days after a national campaign was launched to raise awareness of the dangers of allergies.

The Blossom: Stop Allergies Spoiling Childhood campaign aims to provide information, advice and support for carers - whether they are parents, child minders, teachers or volunteers.

Blossom aims to provide information through publications, a new website - www.blossomcampaign.org - and help and support from trained staff via a helpline.

Blossom project director Lindsey McManus said childhood death due to peanut allergy was "very rare", even though an estimated one in 50 children suffered from a form of allergy, which is on the increase.

She stressed that a medical diagnosis of peanut allergy needed to be taken extremely seriously, as someone who has previously had a mild attack could suddenly develop serious symptoms.

Parents should ensure that an adrenalin-filled injecting device known as an Epipen was always available for use, and everyone likely to come into regular contact with the child was aware of how to use it.

Early application of the adrenalin - usually by jabbing the Epi-pen into the top of the thigh - can reverse the symptoms of severe peanut allergy, known as anaphylactic shock.

"Peanut allergy is a very volatile condition. "For some people, they don't just have to eat it, they can breathe it in or take it in through their skin and it is enough for them to get an allergic reaction," she said.

During a severe attack, the throat closes up, the airways contract and blood pressure drops dramatically.

While adrenalin will halt the symptoms, the patient will still need to be hospitalised. The Allergy UK Helpline is on 01322-619898, or go to www. blossomcampaign.org