Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Alahna Kindred

Boy, 8, dies three days after catching Covid after being sent home from school

A "fun-loving" pupil died three days after testing positive for Covid after coming home from school feeling ill.

Jasper Bryan Cook, eight, came home from school feeling under the weather on January 17 and his health quickly deteriorated.

He experienced breathing difficulties and was rushed to hospital, but sadly died the same day.

His heartbroken parents have paid tribute to their little lad with his mum Kim, 39, saying there were no "warning signs" that he would die so soon after contracting the virus.

Kim and dad Ian are waiting for the coroner's report and say not having answers has left a "gaping" hole in their lives.

Kim said: "There were literally no warning signs. There were no signs this could happen, or was going to happen, or was expected or anything.

Jasper, eight, came home from school feeling under the weather (Kim Cook / SWNS)
Jasper's health deteriorated and he experienced breathing difficulties (Courtesy of Kim Cook / SWNS)

"It's taken the legs out from under us."

Jasper came home from school on January 17 feeling unwell and tested positive for Covid the next day.

Kim, from West Yorks., said her healthy son was "a little sick" in the days that followed.

She contacted emergency services on January 21, when Jasper suddenly took a turn for the worse and was unable to breathe.

Jasper came home from school on January 17 feeling unwell and tested positive for Covid the next day (Kim Cook / SWNS)
The devastated parents of the 'fun-loving' lad have paid tribute to him (Kim Cook / SWNS)

He was rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary but died that same day.

The parents hope a coroner's report will provide answers as to why their little boy died so suddenly.

Kim said about her son: "He was funny, cheeky, all he wanted was cuddles. He loved snuggles. He was a Lego fanatic.

"He was a big supporter of Formula 1 and Lewis Hamilton, we spent lots of time snuggled on the sofa watching F1 and also Watford FC due to Granpa being a lifelong supporter."

Jasper Bryan Cook with mum Kim, dad Ian & sister (Kim Cook / SWNS)

"Everybody said his smile lit up the room. He was gorgeous. It's devastating.

"We would not wish this on our worst enemy, on anybody, it's like a living nightmare. It should not happen to an eight-year-old."

Jasper's dad Ian, 40, said: "It took a long time to accept that it had happened, and he was not coming home.

"There's a huge Jasper-shaped hole, it's never going to be filled. Words just can't really express the loss that we are feeling."

Jasper's school plans to develop a well-being garden in memory of him, which will also be named after him.

A spokesperson for the school said: "This will be a place for reflection and contemplation and will be a lasting legacy to such an amazing young man".

Kim and Ian hope to raise money to fund the permanent memorial and to donate to relevant charities once they know more about what caused their son's death.

Visit this GoFundMe page to donate.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.