Boy, 6, died after bumping his head while playing with friends at school

A six-year-old boy tragically died after bumping his head on a wall racing a friend in a school playground, aninquestheard.

Mohammed Yaseen Uddin, known as 'Yaseen', had been running around and also played tag during a lunch break at Marlborough Primary School, in Small Heath, when he suffered the devastating head trauma, just before 12.30pm, on December 10, last year. He told a school receptionist: “I was running really fast, racing my friend and bumped into the wall.” Birmingham Coroner's Court was told that he picked himself up and walked with a first aider to the school office and did not appear to be stumbling or drowsy.

A visible bump had appeared to the right side of his forehead and an ice pack was applied by paediatric school first aider Rio Hughes. Yaseen was collected from school by his mum and given advice to visit a doctor or a pharmacist.

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The school said a bumped head letter containing medical advice about worsening symptoms was given to the family as part of their care process and supported by CCTV evidence. Although Yaseen's family later disputed that a letter was sent home as one was not found.

The inquest held on Monday heard that Yaseen appeared to be acting normally after going home. He had later went to the local mosque, had eaten and enjoyed cake to celebrate a sibling's birthday.

But Yaseen later told his dad Simriel Uddin that he did not feel right and had some Ibuprofen in Ribena. By around 11pm he was complaining of head pain, which one of his sister's said “came out of nowhere.”

He started to vomit and his family decided to take him to hospital but after then being sick in the car he was taken back home to change. As he was feeling tired, he went to bed with his dad checking on him at 3am and 5am, where he was sleeping - but tragically an hour later him unconscious.

His brother Khalil told the inquest how he had attempted to revive him by giving CPR and paramedics were called just before 11am and rushed him to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. Despite the best efforts of doctors, Yaseen died at 12.08pm on December 11, last year.

It was found that Yaseen died of a traumatic right frontal extra-axial haemorrhage - a bleed outside of the brain but within the skull. His death was recorded as an "accident".

Louise Hunt, the Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull said: "Yaseen was a six-year-old little boy who was normally fit and well. He was described as happy and engaged when he came to school, a big character, who was always bubbly."

She said Yaseen had suffered recent eyesight issues, but that was corrected with glasses. He has also complained of having headaches and had an MRI scan in November last year.

That showed some inflammation of the sinuses, known as sinusitis, she said. Recalling the tragic events of December 10, 2024, the Coroner said: "Yaseen was playing in the playground with his friends and was running races.

"It was at 12.29pm after running from the other side of the background that he unfortunately ran into the wall and bumped his head. He fell to the floor and sat beside the wall. He was initially crying. Other children called for Rio Hughes, who is trained paediatric first aider. He said he spoke to Yaseen who said his nose hurt. He examined Yaseen and identified a bump on his head."

CCTV showed him walking into the school unaided and not in distress. Mr Hughes administered first aid using an ice pack. The school also called Yaseen's parents. His mum had been at an appointment with another of her children and arrived at the school at 2.06pm with one of Yaseen's sisters.

Ms Hunt added: "I know there is a dispute about whether or not the family were given a bumped head letter (containing medical advice). I'm satisfied from the evidence I've heard that on the balance of probabilities this was provided to the family."

She also said the information was provided verbally in Urdu as English was not Yaseen's mum's first language. Yaseen ate on the way back home and his family described him as "playing normal and appearing to be normal".

Guirish Solanki, a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon, found Yaseen had suffered a "traumatic head injury when he struck his head on the wall." The coroner was satisfied that this was the medical cause of death.

She said: "This was a tragic accident and I record in conclusion this was an accident. I'd like to reiterate and offer my condolences to all the family. It must be very hard for all of you and I'm very sorry if today's inquest has made things more difficult. I'm so very sorry for your loss."

Yaseen's family expressed their appreciation to those involved in Yaseen's care and the support they have received from the community. Speaking after the inquest, Yaseen's sister Sumaya toldBirminghamLive: "Thank you to everyone for their support."

In a previous statement, Razia Ali, the executive headteacher at Marlborough, said: "Our school community has been left devastated by the tragic passing of one of our wonderful and much-loved pupils.

“Yaseen was an incredibly helpful, kind and caring pupil who brought a smile to the face of everyone who came across him. I know I speak for everyone when I say he will be deeply missed. All our thoughts and prayers are with Yaseen's family and friends."