Decklan Hayward: Parents’ farewell their son after choking incident at Orange school

The devastated family of a boy who choked on a cocktail frankfurt at a school in the state’s west, have taken him off life-support and donated his heart “to help save another life”. .

The heartbroken family of a seven-year-old boy who chocked on a cocktail frankfurt in front of his friends at school have ended his life support treatment after two weeks.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who is deceased.

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 The Children’s Hospital at Westmead because of his extensive brain damage.

Decklan Hayward.

His stepfather Daniel James Mawson told The Dubbo News Decklan’s life-support was turned off on Tuesday with his entire family in the room beside him.

“I just want the world to know how loved and special our son was – I’m his stepfather but it’s a word we never used – he had called me dad forever,” Mr Mawson said.

Mr Mawson shared Decklan’s heart is in the process of being donated to help save another life.

“That’s what his mother wants everyone to know, how rare and special heart donations are and how our boy is a hero – his mother knew he would love saving lives,” he said.

“He was special to everyone he met and touched in life – I’m honoured and proud to be able to call him my son – he’s my superhero.

He continued saying the pain and loss has shattered the hearts of the family.

7-year-old Decklan Hayward

“[Saying goodbye] was touching but it’s something that I wouldn’t wish on any parents, it’s something that no parent should suffer,” he said.

a NSW Department of Education spokesman said they are “deeply saddened by the tragic death of one our students from Glenroi Heights Public School”.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time. We extend our sympathies to them and the student’s friends, and the broader school community in Orange.

“We will support them through this difficult time and have sent extra school counsellors to the school.”

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 raised about $2000 more than its initial target.