Boy, 5, died when radiator fell on his head while playing at home

The parents of a 5-year-old boy who died in an accident at his home during half-term have paid tribute to their son.

Saleh Aslam had been playing as Spider-Man at his home in Watford, Hertfordshire, when a 40kg towel radiator came away from the wall and struck him on his head.

Saleh’s mother, Bibi Khadija, called emergency services to the house at around 15.40 on 28 October but her son died later that day at Watford General Hospital after suffering a bleed to the brain.

Following his son’s death, Saleh’s father remembered Saleh in a conversation with the Watford Observer.

He said: ‘He was the most beloved son to me.

‘I have four children but he was the most beloved one, the most naughty one, the most attractive one.

‘He won our hearts by his little actions, by being very caring, very kind, very humble, a very proud kid. He was very proud to be Muslim, very proud to be British, very proud of belonging to Watford.’

Saleh’s funeral, held on November 2, was attended by hundreds of people who knew the schoolboy.

Following the funeral, Saleh’s mother said: ‘He was a very, very lively child, he would take the heart of anyone, would stand up with strangers and speak confidently.

‘He was my youngest – of course he has my heart and I can never forget him.’

The service was attended by staff and pupils at Saleh’s school, Orchard Primary School.

Headteacher Jonny Spector remembered Saleh, saying: ‘He was a delightful and kind child who was much loved by his friends and staff and he will be greatly missed.’

Back in 2017, a 5-year-old boy jumped from a 40ft-high window in London while pretending to be Spider-Man – but somehow managed to survive.

In a conversation with the BBC, Saleh’s father warned parents about the dangers of their children not knowing the difference between fantasy and reality.

He said: ‘There are a lot of virtual characters, which are there to entertain children such as Superman and Spider-Man, but these kids do not understand that they don’t exist in reality.

‘That’s precisely what happened to Saleh – he was thinking he was Spider-Man and tried to climb, which caused the fatal crash, and he passed away.’

Saleh’s death is not being treated as suspicious, a spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said.

A file is being prepared for the coroner.

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