The parents of a two-year-old girl who died after reportedly choking on a piece of sausage at nursery have paid tribute to their “princess”.
Police and the ambulance service were called to a nursery in Radlett last Thursday afternoon to reports that a girl had gone into cardiac arrest.
The girl, identified as Sadie Salt, died in hospital on Saturday after the incident at Mini Learners nursery in Radlett.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected at this extremely sad and difficult time.
“Multi-agency enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances around the incident.
“It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
Friends of the family said she choked on a piece of sausage while having lunch and are campaigning for a ban on grapes and sausages across all nursery settings.
“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,” reads the Change.org petition.
Sadie’s parents, Adam and Zoe Salt, have raised more than £39,000 for children’s charity COSMIC.
A message on their fundraising page set up in “loving memory of our princess” pays tribute to the “beautiful” Sadie.
“We are in terrible pain as we suffer the untimely loss of our daughter and sister, but the huge support of love from you all has been overwhelming.
“We are so proud to tell you that she was able to help others by donating vital organs to go on and save lives,” they wrote.
Sadie's parents also praised the care she received at St Mary's Hospital paediatric ICU. "They do an amazing job and fully deserve all the support they can get.
"They took tremendous care of our Sadie and us and nothing was too much to make us all feel loved, cared for and supported," they wrote.
A spokesperson for Mini Learners Nursery said it was “absolutely devastated by this news” and extended its “sincere and heartfelt condolences” 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,” the spokesperson added.
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