A teenage boy who died following an incident at his school has been pictured for the first time.
Hamdan Aslam, 14, was rushed to hospital after becoming unwell at St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian, at around 1.20pm on Tuesday.
A number of local reports suggest that Hamdan choked during the incident which involved a social media challenge called 'Tap Out'. The game is believed to cause people to pass out due to a lack of oxygen.
Heartbroken locals have been left in shock following the devastating news as they paid tribute to the 'lovely' youngster.
A shopkeeper at the Usave store on Stanley Road in Greenrigg, near where the schoolboy stayed, told the Record: "Hamdan would come into my shop and he was a very polite and quiet boy. I only found out the news a couple of hours ago and I can't believe it."
The shopkeeper teared up as he added: "He was such a lovely, nice boy. It's absolutely terrible what has happened. This is a lovely community, nice people. It's heartbreaking."
A neighbour who lives a few doors down from Hamdan's family said: "We're shocked, my son played out with him so I had met him a few times and he was a lovely boy.
"I've had to tell my son what's happened tonight and he's not taken it well. It's heartbreaking.
"I don't know his family well but there was a few kids that would play out in the street with him. The family have had visitors all day."
Earlier today Hamdan's cousin, Zain Mohammed, 29, told the Record that he believed the youngster was being bullied.
Zain said: "Hamdan was being bullied for being different but he was innocent and gentle and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was reserved and he didn’t speak very much.
"He was a good boy and so family oriented. We can't believe he is gone. It’s a devastating loss. “We loved him very much."
Zain also claimed online that Hamdan was "in a chokehold" in a game called 'Tap Out'.
The Record currently understands that "no criminality" was involved in the incident that took place prior to Hamdan's death. However Police Scotland has refused to comment ahead of a post mortem taking place.
Andrew Sharkey, Headteacher of St Kentigern’s Academy said: “Everyone in our school community has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of one of our pupils. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences and offers of support.
"We have set up ongoing emotional support and signposting for students and staff affected by this tragic news. We would like to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly painful time. We are assisting the relevant authorities with their investigation to establish the facts and we will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Martyn Day, SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, wrote online: "My deepest condolences go to the family and friends of the S3 pupil at St Kentigern’s who sadly died yesterday after an incident at the school. I would ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy whilst a full investigation takes place into this tragic incident."
The party's local MSP, Fiona Hyslop, also posted a statement. She said: "I am saddened to hear about the announcement of a tragic death of a 15 year old boy at St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn in my Constituency. My deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the pupil who has died.
"I hope those closest to him are given the privacy they deserve at this tragic time. This will be an incredibly difficult time for everyone at the school - pupils, staff and teachers. The support being offered at the school will be very important right now. In my capacity as their MSP, I will do everything I can to help the community through this situation."
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 1.20pm on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, officers were called to a report of concern for a 14-year-old boy at a school in the Bathgate area.
“He was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment, but died a short time later. His family have been informed and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.”
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