A TWO-year-old boy who choked on a grape at a restaurant has died, his parents have revealed.

The parents of Jacob Jenkins had been keeping a bedside vigil while he remained in a coma in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The youngster, from Hartlepool, fell ill at about 5.40pm on Friday at Pizza Hut on Hartlepool Marina. The Great North Air Ambulance and a rapid response unit from the North East Ambulance Service responded to the incident.

The Northern Echo:

Well-wishers gather on Seaton Carew seafront. Picture: Caroline Brown

More than £2,000 was raised within hours of family friend, Ben Picken, launching a fundraising campaign on the Go Fund Me website in a bid to help the family.

By 1pm on Thursday the total had passeed £10,400.

Jacob battled on for several days, but his mother Abigail Wilson and father David Jenkins revealed on  Wednesday night how their son died just as people were releasing balloons in his honour.

Friends, family and members of the public had used the #PrayForJacob hashtag on Twitter and flooded Facebook with messages and prayers as they hoped the youngster would pull through.

Many gathered on Seaton Carew's seafront for the release, with hundreds of yellow balloons rising into the night sky.

What they did not know was that Jacob's life support had been turned off to coincide with the balloon release.

"Me and David want to thank every single person for the support over this awful last few days," wrote Ms Wilson on Facebook. "Jacob has gained his Angel wings at 7pm as you all set off your balloons.

"There was nothing else that could be done for Jacob and as hard as it was we chose that time because we knew he would be in thousands of people's minds at that moment."

She ended the message by calling Jacob "our gorgeous Angel".

Mr Picken wrote on the GoFundMe site: "Baby Jacob gained his Angel wings at 7pm on Wednesday 14th 2015, The exact time the amazing Hartlepool people and far beyond set off their yellow balloons.

"His parents now need time to grieve properly and come to terms with losing thier baby boy.

"It is now with a heavy heart I write that this fund will now go towards Jacob's funeral costs and for the parents to not have to worry about going back to work for the forseeable future."

The Northern Echo:

Hundreds of people released yellow balloons in honour of Jacob. Picture: Caroline Brown

Samantha Hinchy donated £50 and wrote: "Words can't describe how heartbreaking this day is. Jacob has a beautiful smile that will be sadly missed.

"My thoughts love, hope and sorrow go to Abigail and David. David I knew you a long time ago and Abbie you're a precious client to me. You will forever hold a piece of my broken heart.

"Always and forever shine bright Jacob xxx Samantha Phil Elissa Jojo Myla and all the staff at Silhouette beauty room xxxxx".

At the balloon release people spoke of their hopes for Jacob's recovery, unaware that he had died.

Mark Wilson, 36, went along with his own children. He said: "Hartlepool is a close knit town and we look after our own. This little lad has brought the whole town together and we want his parents to know we are thinking about them.

"Everybody's hopes and prayers went up with those balloons, it was an amazing sight to see so many people gathered together for one little lad.

"As a parent it is chilling, there was nothing they could do, that could have been anybody's son."

Wendy Graham, 43, added: "Jacob's story has really hit home, everybody in the town is talking about him. It's lovely to think so many people care about him and I hope it's a comfort to his parents."

Hartlepool United tweeted its sadness at the news. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jacob Jenkins tonight. A terrible tragedy. #RipJacob," a club spokesman wrote on Twitter.

Middlesbrough FC echoed those comments. "Sincere condolences from all at MFC to the family of Jacob Jenkins, who passed away in tragic circumstances yesterday. #RIPJacob," the club stated.

A spokeswoman for Pizza Hut Restaurants said: "We are devastated to learn of Jacob's tragic death. Our deepest sympathy is with Jacob's parents, Abigail and David, and his family and friends.

"We will be closing our Hartlepool Hut today (Thursday) as a sign of respect."

What to do in a choking incident

  • 999: If a child is choking call 999 immediately.
  • Heimlich Maneuver: For a conscious child who is sitting or standing, position yourself behind her and wrap your arms around her waist. Place the thumb side of your fist on the middle of her abdomen, well below the lower tip of the breastbone. Then grab that fist with your free hand, press inward with rapid, upward thrusts until the object is cleared.
  • Tongue Lift: Open the youngster's mouth, with your thumb held over her tongue, and your fingers wrapped around the lower jaw as this draws the tongue away from the back of the throat. An object can then possibly be removed from the airway.
  • Back Slap: Place the child over your knee and administer a sharp strike to the back to displace the obstruction.

Potential Chocking Risks

GRAPES: Whole grapes are a potential choking hazard. Recommended that a grape be sliced down the middle.

BOILED SWEETS: Boiled sweets should never be given to children. It is also recommended that chewing gum never be given to young children.

HOT DOGS: They should be cut into small pieces when served to children.

BATTERIES: Small batteries should be kept away from small children.

TOYS: Children should be supervised when they are playing with building blocks, marbles and any other small toy.