The family of a young NSW schoolboy who choked on a cocktail frankfurt at school have revealed the boy saved four lives when his organs were donated to others in need.
Decklan Hayward, 7, was dropped off at Glenroi Heights Public School in Orange on Wednesday, July 19.
However, hours later Decklan’s mother got a call from the school advising her that he had been involved in a “choking incident”.
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The mother was told Decklan had been laughing and playing with his friends during a nutritional program when he began to choke on the frankfurt.
Paramedics tended to the boy, however, he was left with no oxygen for 20 minutes and went into cardiac arrest.
He was flown to Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney with extensive brain damage and was placed on life support.
On Tuesday August 1, the family made the difficult decision to turn off his life support.
However, Decklan’s aunty Kaylah Hayward revealed to 7NEWS.com.au the schoolboy saved lives through his organ donations, with his heart being donated to another young boy in need.
“He got a Walk of Honour through Westmead Hospital because he’s our little superhero,” she said.
“Even given the crappiest circumstances possible, Decky saved four lives on Tuesday.
“So, we’re we’re really proud of him.”
Kaylah added it was a miracle that Decklan was able to save another life with his “good” heart.
“It’s really hard and really rare to get a match for a heart, and it has to be accepted, but we were told that the surgery went well for the other little boy,” she said.
“The way we see it is, we may have lost him, but his heart is still beating.”
Hayward added she “couldn’t believe” how incredible the community’s support had been.
“He’s touched all our hearts, and we were just so lucky to have him, but he’s also touched everyone else’s hearts,” she said.
“And anyone that knew him knew that he was … just so beautiful.
“He always worried about everyone else before himself.”
Meanwhile, the community has continued to rally around the Hayward family, with Kaylah organising a GoFundMe page to help support Decklan’s parents and help with funeral arrangements.
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