Family of toddler who choked to death at nursery ‘overwhelmed’ as £40,000 raised

The family of a ‘beautiful’ two-year-old girl who died after choking at nursery has said they are “overwhelmed” a charity drive in her memory has already raised more than £40,000.

Sadie Salt went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital paediatric Intensive Care Unit after she stopped breathing at Mini Learners nursery in Radlett.

The toddler had been eating a piece of sausage during lunch when she began to choke.

An air ambulance and paramedics rushed to the scene, and she then spent two days in intensive care.

Despite the best efforts by medics to save Sadie’s life, she died on Saturday.

Her family, who live in Barnet, has described the care Sadie received at the hospital as “outstanding” and “beyond amazing”.

A fundraising page set up on behalf of Sadie’s parents and brothers, has already raised more than £40,000 for COSMIC, a charity that supports children’s and neonatal intensive care units at two London hospitals.

“We are devastated to have lost our beautiful Sadie on Saturday 14 November”, a tribute on the page reads.

“Sadie spent two days in St Mary’s Hospital paediatric ICU where the care she, mummy and daddy received was incredible.

“The team at the ICU are beyond amazing and the care for Sadie and the support for us was outstanding. They do an amazing job and fully deserve all the support they can get.

“They took tremendous care of our Sadie and us and nothing was too much to make us all feel loved, cared for and supported.”

They added that the family “are in terrible pain as we suffer the untimely loss of our daughter and sister”, and revealed that Sadie’s organs were donated following her death.

In an update to the fundraiser, the Salt family said they were “overwhelmed by all the love and support” they had received.

Family friends Darren Ruback and Claire Nicole, have launched a petition, supported by the Salt family, calling for sausages and grapes to be banned from nursery meals as they are “renowned for their awkward shape and tough skin”.

The petition reads: “Tragically on the 14th November 2020, Darren’s best friend’s daughter lost her life after choking on a piece of sausage whilst having her lunch at nursery.

“We are fully aware that accidents happen, but things can also be put in place to prevent these accidents occurring.

“Sausages are renowned for their awkward shape and tough skin, thus making it extra challenging for small children to chew. Grapes fall into the same category.

“We are appealing to get sausages and grapes banned from all nursery settings ASAP so no other family has to go through the devastation and heartbreak that so many people have felt this weekend.”

Following the tragedy, Hertsmere Jewish Primary School emailed parents to inform them that sausages and grapes would now be removed from the menus offered to children.

A number of agencies are now investigating Sadie’s death. Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected at this extremely sad and difficult time.

“Multi-agency enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances around the incident. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

A Mini Learners nursery spokesperson told the Borehamwood Times: “We are absolutely devastated by this news and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family.”

Visit the fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-salt1