‘Brilliant’ girl, 12, dies after suffering asthma attack at grammar school which stopped her breathing for eight minutes
TRIBUTES have been paid to a "brilliant" 12-year-old girl who tragically died after suffering an asthma attack at school.
Pearl Unu-Arubi stopped breathing for eight minutes on March 20, 2023, and then spent 10 days in a critical condition before she sadly passed away.
Her devastated parents, Weyimi and Paul, have paid tribute to their "kind-hearted, patient and loving" daughter.
Pearl was a Year 7 student at Rochester Grammar School and the talented youngster had hopes of becoming a lawyer.
Weyimi said that she had dropped Pearl off at school that morning and told her she would pick her up later in the day.
But just a few hours later, the mum says she received an urgent phone call from her husband telling her to get to Rochester Grammar.
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She said: "Pearl’s dad called me and said, ‘Rochester Grammar school said Pearl had a massive asthma attack.
"[When I got to the school] I saw about two vehicles, I saw an ambulance van, another ambulance car.
"I saw teachers, I didn’t know where to go.
“I was asking, 'Where is she? Where is my daughter?'”
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Ambulance crews attended, and Pearl was taken to Kings College Hospital where she spent 10 days in critical care.
Wemimi added: "Till the day that she passed I just believed she would be fine, that she would come back.
"Even in the last few days when they told me she would be brain dead I’m like, ‘Okay God, however she was to come back, I will take care of her because I love her so much.'
"She was the best girl any mum and dad could have asked for."
Pearl was diagnosed with asthma when she was six years old.
Rochester Grammar School says that a joint agency review is looking into Pearl’s death and will report the findings in due course.
Meanwhile, her parents continue to struggle to come to terms with the death of their "perfect" daughter who gave them "so much love and memories".
A spokesperson for the Rochester Grammar School said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our much-loved friend and student.
"Pearl was a shining light in our school community and met everyone with great kindness and a smile."