Doctors rule out head trauma in death of teaching assistant

Doctors RULE OUT head trauma in death of special needs teaching assistant, 31, found dead at home – following claims he was ‘hit in head by chair in special needs class’

  • Lee Sims, 31, was found dead on Sunday morning just days after he was struck 
  • Worked as teaching assistant at special needs school in Bridgend, South Wales
  • Post-mortem finds no head injury/trauma which could have led to sudden death 
  • Pupils are now being offered counselling as Ysgol Bryn Castell reopened today

Father-of-three Lee Sims, 31, died days after being hit in the head with a chair by a pupil

Doctors have ruled out head trauma in the death of teaching assistant found dead at home following claims he was hit in the head by a pupil using a chair.

Lee Sims, 31, was found dead on Sunday morning just days after he was struck last week at the special needs school in Bridgend, South Wales.

But a post mortem examination found no head injury or trauma which could have led to the sudden death of Mr Sims, with police also ruling out suicide.

More tests are now being carried out but police believe father-of-three Mr Sims, a special support officer, died from a sudden medical condition.

Pupils at Ysgol Bryn Castell are now being offered counselling to come to terms with the former rugby player’s death after the school reopened today.

Headmistress Helen Ridout said: ‘YBC is open for pupils on Tuesday, December 3. I can confirm that sadly one of our staff members died suddenly on Sunday.

‘South Wales Police have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest an assault or injury. Support will be offered to staff and pupils.’

Mr Sims, pictured with his wife, was found dead at his home by a friend on Sunday morning

Mr Sims, pictured with his wife, was found dead at his home by a friend on Sunday morning

Mr Sims was found dead at his home in the Brackla area of Bridgend by a friend at 9.30am on Sunday morning, who called police and paramedics to the property.

Family friend Arthur Cole said: ‘They are devastated, he was lovely lad and they are a very nice family, I’ve known them for years.

‘Lee was a good rugby player, this has come out of the blue. It’s too early to say what’s happened, it will be a while before the family know.’

Another friend, James Scott, added: ‘He was an absolutely lovely guy, naughty little bugger at times but an amazing man and friend.’

Ysgol Bryn Castell is a special school for 147 pupils aged seven to 19, and it was closed yesterday while an investigation was carried out.

Mr Sims worked as a special support officer at Ysgol Bryn Castell in Bridgend, South Wales

 Mr Sims worked as a special support officer at Ysgol Bryn Castell in Bridgend, South Wales

Bridgend councillor Charles Smith said yesterday: ‘There was an incident with a pupil earlier in the week and the teacher has died later.

Headmistress Helen Ridout said South Wales Police had confirmed there is 'no evidence to suggest an assault or injury'

Headmistress Helen Ridout said South Wales Police had confirmed there is ‘no evidence to suggest an assault or injury’

‘The school is closed today (Monday) while investigations are made and police are involved. Our first concern is the welfare of the teacher’s family. Pupils are getting support.’

And Sarah Richards said: ‘Condolences go out to Lee Sims’s family. Was a great teacher to my son in primary school and hundreds of others and is a massive loss to his family and children.’

A further parent said: ‘I am devastated at the news a member of staff has died. They are an amazing staff who make our children a part of their family.

‘My thoughts are with the family of the member of staff who has died and all the staff at Ysgol Bryn Castell at this time of immense devastation.’

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: ‘Following the results of a post mortem carried out today by a Home Office pathologist officers there is no evidence to suggest an assault or injury.

‘An inquest into the death will be held in due course. We request that the family is allowed privacy at this sad time.’

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