Boy, 14, who died at Lewis Capaldi’s old school was ‘put in a chokehold’

The first picture has been released of a 14-year-old schoolboy who died ‘after being put in a chokehold’ in a playground incident, according to his family.

Hamdan Khaliq was rushed to hospital after emergency services were called to St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland, at around 1.20pm on Tuesday. He died a short time later. 

The school, where singer Lewis Capaldi and comedian Fern Brady were once pupils, said there had been an ‘isolated incident’ within the grounds. Witnesses reported seeing Hamdan having a seizure. 

Police reportedly do not think the incident was part of an ‘online challenge’ amid social media speculation it was a so-called ‘tap out’ game. 

His heartbroken cousin, Zain Mohammed, 29, said: ‘Hamdan was being bullied for being different. He was put in a chokehold and it’s being passed off as a game called Tap Out.’

The first picture has been released of 14-year-old schoolboy Hamdan Khaliq who died ‘after being put in a chokehold’ in a playground incident

Emergency services were called to St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian yesterday 

He told the Daily Record: ‘Hamdan was innocent and gentle and wouldn’t hurt a fly. He was reserved and he didn’t speak very much.

‘He was a good boy and so family oriented. We can’t believe he is gone. It’s a devastating loss. We loved him very much.’ 

Meanwhile Sana Khaliq said that her cousin had suffered a ‘horrible death’.  

A ‘tap out’ game is when a person is held in a chokehold and their neck is squeezed until they nearly pass out. They are supposed to ‘tap out’ before they lose consciousness. 

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Around 1.20pm on Tuesday June 6, officers were called to a report of concern for a 14-year-old boy at a school in the Bathgate area. 

‘He was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment, but died a short time later.

‘His family have been informed and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.’

A statement posted on the school’s website said emergency services were called following an isolated incident within the school grounds.

Headteacher Andrew Sharkey said: ‘Everyone in our school community has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of one of our pupils.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends and we extend our deepest condolences and offers of support.

The school, where singer Lewis Capaldi was once a pupil, said there had been an ‘isolated incident’ within the grounds

Headteacher Andrew Sharkey said: ‘Everyone in our school community has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of one of our pupils’

A floral tribute left at St Kentigern’s Academy to Hamdan after the incident on Tuesday

‘We have set up ongoing emotional support and signposting for students and staff affected by this tragic news.

‘We would like to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly painful time.

‘We are assisting the relevant authorities with their investigation to establish the facts and we will not be making any further comment at this time.’