Tragic Loss of Six-Year-Old After Playground Fall at Birmingham School

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A six-year-old boy died less than 24 hours after a seemingly minor playground accident at a primary school in Birmingham, prompting renewed focus on school first aid protocols and post-incident monitoring for head injuries.

Mohammed Yaseen Uddin, known affectionately as “Yaseen,” was playing with friends during a lunch break at Marlborough Primary School in Small Heath when he bumped his head on a wall while racing another child. The incident occurred just before 12:30 pm on 10 December 2023. An inquest held at Birmingham Coroner’s Court on 22 July 2025 heard that the child remained conscious, coherent, and walked to the school office unaided following the collision.

Paediatric first aider Rio Hughes attended to Yaseen and applied an ice pack to a visible bump on the right side of his forehead. According to school protocol, a “bumped head” letter, detailing medical symptoms to watch for, was reportedly issued to his family. The school’s headteacher confirmed that CCTV footage supports the account of the letter being handed over, although the family later said they could not locate any such document at home.

Yaseen was collected by his mother after the incident. He appeared to be in stable condition, even attending prayers at the local mosque that evening and joining in celebrations for a sibling’s birthday. His behaviour showed no apparent signs of distress or deterioration, according to statements presented during the hearing.

Despite the mild nature of the injury, Yaseen tragically passed away the following day. Details of the cause of death are under review, and the coroner’s report is expected to provide further medical clarification. There was no evidence of foul play, negligence, or failure to respond appropriately on the part of school staff.

The case has raised broader questions around head injury response protocols in primary schools, particularly the need for consistent follow-up guidance to parents and the importance of immediate access to medical advice following any form of cranial trauma. While current Department for Education (DFE) guidelines require schools to inform parents when a child suffers a head injury, there is no uniform national process for verifying that advice has been received or followed.

A spokesperson for Marlborough Primary School expressed condolences, stating: “Yaseen was a bright, kind, and much-loved pupil. Our thoughts remain with his family at this devastating time. We are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure all procedures were properly followed.”

No criticism was directed toward the school during the inquest, and Birmingham City Council has declined to comment further until the coroner’s full findings are released.

Yaseen’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder of how even minor childhood injuries can sometimes have tragic outcomes. Authorities are urging parents and schools alike to remain vigilant when assessing head injuries or deciding whether to seek medical attention.