Two-year-old dies after choking on a piece of sausage at nursery

Sadie Salt tragically died on Saturday, after she stopped breathing while having lunch at Mini Learners nursery in Radlett, Hertfordshire.

Sadie was taken by air ambulance from the setting to St Mary's Hospital,  paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Paddington, London, where she died two days later (14 November).

A spokesperson for Mini Learners Nursery told Nursery World, ‘We are absolutely devastated by this news and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family.

‘The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is, and has always been, our utmost priority and we are working closely with the relevant bodies at this time. We are also taking steps to provide support to the children, families and staff team at our nursery at this incredibly difficult time.’

Friends of the family have launched a petition to ban sausages and grapes from all nursery settings.

It states, ‘Our friends have lost their baby. Our baby has lost his friend. Two young boys have lost their little sister. 

'We are fully aware that accidents happen but things can also be put in place to prevent these accidents occurring.

‘Sausages are renowned for their awkward shape and tough skin, thus making it extra challenging for small children to chew. Grapes fall into the same category.

‘We are appealing to get sausages and grapes to be banned from all nursery settings ASAP so no other family has to go through the devastation and heartbreak that so many people have felt this weekend.’

More than 6,300 people have so far signed the petition.