Teaching assistant, 31, dies days after student hit him on the head with a chair in classroom
Police are investigating an incident where a teaching assistant at a special needs school has died after a student hit him on the head with a chair.
Lee Sims, a 31-year-old father-of-three, was struck on the head with a chair last week at Ysgol Bryn Castell in Bridgend, South Wales, a special school for 147 pupils aged seven to 19 where he worked as a special support officer, according to the Daily Mail.
While he appeared to have been relatively unhurt after the incident and returned home, he was found dead this past Sunday, December 1, and police are now looking into his sudden passing.
"Police in Bridgend are investigating the unexplained death of a 31-year- old man who was found dead at a property in the Brackla area on Sunday morning," said a spokesperson for the South Wales Police.
"A post-mortem examination is due to take place later today to try and establish the cause of death," the spokesperson added.
The school has been closed as authorities carry out their investigation, with Bridgend councilor Charles Smith saying, "There was an incident with a pupil earlier in the week and the teacher has died later."
"The school is closed today while investigations are made and police are involved," he continued. "Our first concern is the welfare of the teacher's family. Pupils are getting support."
Tributes have poured in from the community after the news of his death spread, with many praising the teacher as an "amazing man" and a "great teacher".
"He was a lovely guy, naughty little bugger at times but an amazing man and friend," said James Scott, a friend.
"Condolences go out to Lee Sims family," said Sarah Richards, another friend. "Was a great teacher to my son in primary school and hundreds of others and is a massive loss to his family and children."
"I am devastated at the news that a member of staff has died," said a parent of one of the children who attends the school.
"They are 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," the parent added.