Killed by a cashew nut

TRAGEDY . . . Christopher Gould

A FAMILY have paid tribute to their “angel” teenage son who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a nut.

Christopher Gould (14), of Helmshore Avenue, Moorside, complained to his mum, Anne Marie, that his tongue and throat was itching — just minutes after eating the cashew.

An ambulance was called and Christopher travelled with his sister Joanna (23) to the Royal Oldham Hospital — but within minutes of arriving, he had died.

Mrs Gould (44), said: “He had eaten cashews and other nuts before, but for some strange reason had an allergic reaction to this one.

“He just turned to me a said ‘my tongue and throat are itching’ and started to speak a bit funny.

“We rang for an ambulance right away and although he seemed a bit panicky, he wanted to walk out to the ambulance when it arrived.

“He went to the hospital with his sister Joanna and I followed behind them in a car.

“But by the time she had booked him in, he had gone.

“It was literally a matter of minutes.”

The tragedy happened shortly after midnight on Friday, July 25.

Described as a bright and popular boy, Christopher, a pupil at Our Lady’s High School, Royton, had plans to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.

The Oldham Athletic fan was an altar boy at Our Lady’s Church, Moorside, and delivered the Chronicle Weekend to homes in Watersheddings and Moorside.

Mrs Gould said her son, a former pupil of Sacred Heart Primary School, Derker, was an unbelievable young man who was kind, generous and big hearted.

She said: “He was a lovely boy and everyone liked him.

“He could light up a room with his smile.

“He was a real people person and when he used to do his paper round, it would take a while because he would do favours for the elderly like get them something from the shop.

“He was also taking his science exams early because he was so determined to become a surgeon, he had his whole future mapped out.

“He was a lovely boy, an angel.

“It’s so hard. Everyone is devastated.”

Christopher is survived by his mum and dad Anne Marie and Jim , sister Joanna and younger brother David (12).

The funeral service will be held at 10am on Thursday at Our Lady’s Church, Moorside, followed by Oldham Crematorium at noon. All are welcome.

The family have requested no flowers, but donations can be made to Our Lady’s School for a new football kit.

An inquest was opened and adjourned on July 30.