Decklan Hayward: Parents’ decision to take son off life support after choking incident at Orange school

The devastated parents of a seven-year-old boy who choked on a cocktail frankfurt at a school in the state’s west, will take him off life support. Read their tragic story and tribute here.

7-year-old Decklan Hayward choked on a coktail frankfurt in school and is currently on life-support. Photo: GoFundme

The devastated parents of a seven-year-old boy who choked on a cocktail frankfurt in front of his friends at school, will have to make the heartbreaking decision of turning his life support off.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who will be taken off life-support.

On July 19, Katie Hayward dropped her “bubbly” boy at Glenroi Heights Public School, Orange, in the state’s Central West before receiving a “horrifying call” of him being involved in a choking incident.

Despite efforts of medics and teachers, Decklan went into cardiac arrest, without oxygen to the brain for 20 minutes, and was flown to Sydney Westmead Children’s Hospital because of his extensive brain damage.

Despite 10 days of being on life-support, his parents have made the decision to let their son “grow his wings and go with the angels” sometime this week.

7-year-old Decklan Hayward choked on a cocktail frankfurt in school and is currently on life-support. Photo: Facebook

His aunt, Kaylah organised a GoFundme to support the family with costs of his funeral and further support with an aim of $20,000. The page has about $500 to go before reaching its initial target.

In the tribute, he is described as a “bubbly, happy, funny kid” who will “always have a special place in so many of our hearts”.

Friends and family have also shared their tributes of the site, expressing their condolences, saying “my heart goes out to you all”.

“The kids will miss you beautiful boy, may you grow your wings and fly high,” one message said.

Another message said they were “praying for the family during this time”.

School principal Teagan Davis responded to the incident saying the school’s “thoughts are with Decklan’s family”.

“Thank you to our school community for your continued care and support for Decklan and his family,” she said.