A nine-year-old Indian-origin boy today died of severe head injuries he had sustained three months ago after mysteriously falling from his school building in New Zealand.
Aryan Banerjee, who studied at Taradale Primary School in Napier, was admitted at Hawkes Bay Hospital following the fall on May 25 and had slipped into coma. He had suffered brain damage from the accident.
"The parents of nine-year-old Aryan Banerjee, who was critically injured following a fall from a Taradale School window in May, wish to advise that tragically Aryan passed away earlier today", Hawkes Bay Hospital said in a statement.
Aryan was found unconscious after he had allegedly jumped out a window and his shirt got caught, leaving him hanging. The circumstances have not been fully explained, but reports at the time said Aryan was believed to have climbed out a toilet window after the door wouldn't open, NZ Herald said.
His father Anjan Banerjee, a doctor, said Aryan died peacefully in his parents arms. The family don't want to make any further media comment at this time, asking them to give them time to grieve for their son.
Last month, Aryan's father spoke of his breathing difficulties and other ongoing complications.
Worksafe, the government's workplace safety agency, said its investigation into the May 25 accident at the Napier school is ongoing and no comment can be made as of now.
Police, after preliminary investigations, did not divulge much details, but said they were treating it as an accident.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the Banerjee family. He was a much loved member of our school. Our immediate priority is to support Aryan's family, and to focus on the wellbeing of all his friends and classmates, as well as the wider school community," Steve Alexander, chairman of the school's board of trustees, said.
He said that investigation into the accident is underway and the school will not be making any further comment until these investigations are complete.
