by Oge Okonkwo

A 9-year old South African boy was said to have died in his classroom on Tuesday in what may have been a prank which went awry.

The primary school boy was found by a school teacher at lunch time hanging from a string which was wound round his neck.

According to the head of department for education, the incident had happened in front of his classmates.

iOL News reports:

“He had a piece of string with a plastic end, similar to ones used in a raincoat. It was wound around his neck, through a desk and tied to a window,” he said.

Sishi, who was at the school all afternoon after the incident, said the other children had been unaware that their friend was in any distress when he disappeared under his desk.

“No one thought that anything had happened or was wrong when he didn’t reappear.”

When the boy was found he was still alive but battling to breathe. Teachers took him to a nearby hospital, but he died soon afterwards. His family were at the school on Tuesday.

Sishi thanked the local community for supporting the traumatised teachers and pupils.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said the incident happened at 12.25pm and no foul play was suspected.

A psychologist will be at the school to give counselling to pupils and teachers.