SOCIAL media was abuzz after the news about Thomas More’s Grade 11 pupil, Blake Kerdachi’s untimely death, surfaced over the weekend.
Blake had been on a school tour to Hong Kong and had collapsed on the flight home via Dubai.
According to Shane Cuthbertson, Thomas More’s executive principal, Kerdachi was admitted to a private hospital near OR Tambo Airport and on Friday afternoon he underwent surgery in an attempt to restore bloodflow to his heart.
Unfortunately this did not succeed, and he passed away at 7.11am. “This is indeed a great tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the Kerdachi family,” said Cuthbertson.
Initially there was a suspicion that Blake had contracted bird flu. Cuthberthson said after a telephone conversation with Blake’s surgeon that they received written confirmation and a lab report indicating that Blake had influenza B, a common flu.
His death has been put down to heart complications.
“After the initial bird flu scare, all members of the tour group were advised to have blood tests earlier in the day and, as far as we know, they have taken medical advice,” said Cuthbertson.
Trauma counselling has been arranged for the parents and pupils who were part of the tour.
Janine Houston wrote on Thomas More College’s Facebook Page, “There are no words to adequately express the sorrow we feel at the passing of Blake. What a fine young gentleman. Sincere condolences and much love to Anthony, Debbie and Rachel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love from the Houstons.”
Jonathan Kenneth Burns also wrote: “Anthony, Debbie and Rachel, we send you strength and courage and hope as you walk through this dark time. Your loss is huge and so hard to bear – you can only take it one day at a time and believe that it will in time get easier. We remember Blake as a warm, vibrant and generous young man who will be sorely missed by so many. Our love and prayers are with you, the Burns family.”
Blake will be laid to rest on Friday, 1 April.
