Parents in tribute to Aberdeen boy, 5, who choked to death on grape

Published on Thursday 9 February 2012 03:17

THE heartbroken parents of a five-year-old who died after choking on a grape have spoken of the devastating loss of their “wonderful little boy”.

Ghoot Emaho and his partner Pauline Adams were inconsolable with grief following the loss of their son, Louis, who was pronounced dead at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital on Tuesday night after choking on a piece of food while attending an after-school club at a local sports and arts centre.

The population of the close-knit coastal village of Newtonhill in Aberdeenshire has been united in grief at the tragic loss of the popular schoolboy.

His parents, who are software designers and developers, stay in a remote former fisherman’s cottage at the foot of the cliffs at the far end of the village, less than a mile from the Bettridge Centre where the young boy had been attending the after-school club. They said in a joint statement, issued by Grampian Police: “We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our wonderful little boy.

“Louis was a bright, happy and bubbly child who always had a smile on his face.”

They continued: “While we had Louis in our lives for too short a time, we feel truly blessed to have known him and the love he brought to our lives will be remembered forever.

“We are finding it very difficult to come to terms with the fact Louis is gone.

“As we struggle to come to terms with his loss, we would respectfully ask that we, and the rest of our family and friends, are left to grieve in peace.”

Police investigations are continuing into the death of the five-year-old.

The Bettridge Centre is the focal point for life in the commuter village and was built in the 1980s following a fundraising drive by local villagers. The centre is run by a committee elected by the local community.

Ian Mollison, an Aberdeenshire councillor who lives in the village, said the whole community had been left “completely devastated” by the tragedy.

He said: “Folk are shocked, stunned and saddened. It’s a real tragedy. Every parent and person will identify with this – it’s their worst nightmare. Everyone will feel the family’s loss. It’s dreadful, unimaginable.

“Newtonhill is a very strong, close-knit community and, although it’s grown over the years, people know each other and help each other. This will hit everyone hard.”

The centre remained closed yesterday. A spokeswoman for the after-school club declined to comment.

Louis was a first-year pupil at Newtonhill Primary School. Linda Cruickshank, the school’s headteacher, said: “Louis was a happy, popular member of his primary-one class who enjoyed all aspects of school life.

“He loved to be involved in all his class activities and took great joy and pride in all his achievements. We will miss him very much.

“Everyone here at Newtonhill School is obviously shocked and devastated by such a tragedy. Our thoughts are very much with his Mum and Dad at this very sad time.”

A spokeswoman for Grampian Police said: “There are no suspicious circumstances and a full police inquiry is being carried out. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course.”