Boy, 10, dies on holiday in Egypt

Apr 30 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A NORTH schoolboy has died during a family holiday in Egypt, it emerged last night. Ten-year-old Andrew Queen, of Low Fell, Gateshead, is thought to have been taken to hospital in the resort of Sharm El-Sheikh before his death on April 19.

It is not yet known how Andrew, a Year Six pupil at St Peter’s RC Primary School, died, but the coroner has now been informed and an report is being prepared.

Last night, tributes were paid for the popular youngster who was an active member of his class and was named ‘star of the week’, in February.

Headteacher Lisa Stokoe said: “It was with great sadness that the school was made aware of the tragic news of Andrew’s death.

“Andrew was a very popular, cheerful member of the Year 6 class and the whole school community.

“He will be greatly missed by us all. We are all thinking about and praying for his family at this very sad time.”

Fr Kefa Nyakundi, of St Peter’s RC Church, said the news was very sad because he was loved so much by his classmates.

He added: “One of the things they did was each write down what he did last with them, it is very sad.

“He was so active in school and in the faith, he was baptised and was a good Christian.

“It is also very sad for us because he was so young with a bright future ahead, he was very promising.”

It is thought that Andrew’s funeral will be held tomorrow, with a mass at St Peter’s RC Church to be attended by his classmates and teachers, followed by a cremation at Saltwell Cemetery.

Andrew leaves an older sister, a pupil at Cardinal Hulme Catholic School in Gateshead.

Last night, his parents were too upset to comment when approached by The Journal.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: “We can confirm that a British national died in Sharm El Sheikh on April 19. We are in contact with the family and are providing consular assistance. We are unable to confirm any further details.”

Resort popular with tourists

SHARM el Sheikh has become a popular destination for tourists wanting to sample dramatic landscapes, year-round dry and temperate climate and long stretches of natural beaches.

Around 25,000 people fly there from Newcastle Airport every year with airline Flyjet.

Situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in Janub Sina’, Egypt, the area relies heavily on foreign and domestic tourism. Its waters are clear and calm for most of the year and have become popular for various watersports, particularly recreational scuba diving and snorkeling.