Bremen - 16-year-old pupil dies on school trip in Italy
"Leon was a happy young boy who laughed a lot," Leon's father's partner told the "Weser Kurier." Leon didn't return from a class trip to Tuscany in June. The cause of the 16-year-old's death is still unclear, according to the media report. The Hamburg Education Authority also confirmed the tragic incident to "Bild."
The teenager had attended the tenth support class in a Bremer upper school, reported the "Weser Kurier," which spoke with Leon's family. He had a 80% disability due to a "perception disorder," was accompanied daily in class by an assistant, and was taken home by a bus service.
Throat pain at departure from Bremen
Before departure, the teenager reported throat pain but was still excited about the trip. Upon arrival, the symptoms did not subside. During an excursion to Pisa, his condition worsened, causing the teachers to cancel the tour and send him back to his bungalow on the campsite – apparently without adult supervision. The parents' request for the boy to see a doctor or pharmacy was not followed, according to the media report.
"Here are a few photos, Papa" was the last message from the boy to his father, as the father told the "Weser Kurier." The boy died in the night following that message. The teacher informed the family the next morning.
The autopsy report is still pending. However, the family accuses the teachers of negligence and is considering legal action, according to media reports. The Hamburg Education Authority denies the family's allegation that the school failed to provide adequate support. "The family was supported by the school during this difficult phase. There was a regular exchange about the support the family could receive in this difficult time," said a ministry spokesperson to the "Weser Kurier." Since it was an ongoing case, the spokesperson made no further comments.
The school reportedly posted about the trip to Italy on a public Instagram profile but without mentioning Leon's death. The boy was buried two weeks ago, and two classmates reportedly attended the funeral.
The class trip took Leon and his classmates to the beautiful region of Tuscany in Italy, specifically. Unfortunately, the joy of the trip was marred for Leon when he reported throat pain just before departure from Bremen.
