Nine-year-old died after choking

Hugh Marshall was admitted to Altnagelvin Area Hospital

The coroner has ruled a nine-year-old boy from Londonderry who suffered from cerebral palsy, died after choking.

Hugh Marshall developed problems eating a burger in July 2003 in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.

He was admitted to Altnagelvin after complaining of abdominal pains connected with his condition.

Hugh's condition was later described as critical and he was transferred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children where he died.

A specialist children's doctor from King's College Hospital in London carried out an independent report into the circumstances surrounding the child's death, which agreed with the coroner's findings.

The coroner's court in Derry heard that a day after being admitted to Altnagelvin, Hugh's condition had improved and he was given an evening meal of a hamburger and chips.

I know nothing will bring him back but after five years it is closure Hugh's mother Maureen

A short time later, a nurse checking on Hugh found him choking. His condition was described as critical but it later stabilised and he was transferred a day later to Belfast.

Giving evidence, his father Hugh told the inquest that he stayed with his son until he had finished his food and then left for a break.

But a nurse who also gave evidence said that when she discovered Hugh he had taken just one bite of a full burger.

Under cross examination from the family's legal representatives, the nurse said it was possible that the child could have been given another burger.

Giving their evidence, two doctors who treated the child said they could not explain what had caused him to choke.

They agreed with the coroner's findings.

Speaking afterwards, Hugh's mother Maureen said she and her husband had been left devastated by the death of their only son but said the inquest had brought them some closure.

"Half of me has gone.

"I work with these children now, I work in the school that he attended, and it rewards me, but at the same time it gives me strength too because I know Hugh's still there.

"I know nothing will bring him back but after five years it is closure," she said.