Mum calls for sensory toy warning after son's death

Louis Rawlinson, 27, died on 25 July 2023 at Salford Royal Hospital

A mother whose son died after choking on a sensory ball has called for clearer warnings on toys used by people with learning disabilities.

Louis Rawlinson, 27, died six days after the 6.5cm ball became lodged in his throat in July 2023.

His mother Andrea Buckley, from Heywood, said she was determined to make sure another family does not suffer the same heartache.

The government said firms were legally required to ensure products were safe.

Mr Rawlinson, who was at a day care centre at the time, had used the ball - which was soft and smooth and changed shape when squeezed - for three years before he put it into his mouth and choked, suffering a seizure.

His mother said it was not until he was at hospital and an anaesthetist tried to insert a tube into his throat that the ball was discovered and removed.

"He was 27, he wasn't a baby. He was supervised, he had had it for three years, played with it for three years," she said.

His inquest heard that a scan prior to his death confirmed he had suffered a hypoxic brain injury due to asphyxiation caused by an obstruction of his larynx.

The coroner at Rochdale Coroners' Court ruled his death was accidental.

Andrea Buckley said she wanted to prevent other families from enduring the same heartache

While Ms Buckley said she accepted the verdict of the coroner, she said she wanted to raise awareness of potential choking hazards to prevent any future deaths.

"You would think a choking risk is something that's small enough to go into anyone's throat," she said.

"Not something that is the size of this. You wouldn't think that it would be a choking risk."

She told BBC Radio Manchester the sensory ball carried a general warning that they should not be used by children under three but now wanted this to include a safety warning for those with learning disabilities.

"As a family we do not want anyone else to suffer like we have over the past seven months," she said.

The day centre said it "totally and unequivocally" supported her call to upgrade the warnings.

"We are determined that this should never happen again and have taken immediate steps to inform and train our staff about the risks," a spokesperson said.

"Though our organisation was not found at fault for the tragedy, this is no consolation.

"We absolutely loved Louis and we will continue to do whatever we can to support Andrea and her family."

The Department for Business and Trade said: "Manufacturers and importers are legally required to ensure that products that are sold on the UK market are safe and protect consumers from harm.

"If anyone has concerns about an unsafe product, they should contact the Office for Product Safety and Standards for more information."