Cruel trolls have harassed the bereaved family of a five-year-old girl who tragically choked to death on a snack during a car ride.
Imogen Lennon, from Canowindra in Central West New South Wales, died on January 16 after choking on a deli frankfurt while riding home from swimming lessons with her mother.
Tamara Harrison, a family friend, told Daily Mail Australia that she has been inundated with “mean” emails since opening an online fundraising to assist Samantha and Bill Lennon with funeral expenses.
The five-year-old from Canowindra, Central West New South Wales, died on January 16 after choking on a deli frankfurt while riding home from swimming lessons with her mother.
Ms. Harrison reported that strangers had sent her messages and left online comments stating that the family did not deserve to have funds gathered for them and that they had not done enough to save Imogen’s life.
Ms. Harrison, however, stated that this could not be further from the truth.
Ms. Harrison stated, “Imogen was seated in the back of the car when she took a large breath of air while eating and began choking.”
Imogen Lennon, age 5, tragically passed away on January 16 after choking on a deli frankfurter.
Some individuals stated online that Imogen’s parents should have been trained in first aid, despite Ms. Lennon’s training and use of all the skills she had acquired.
Sam pulled over immediately. Her sister is also a nurse; she is a first-aid officer. She understood what to do in the circumstance. She made every effort possible.
Imogen bit her hand when she attempted to remove the hot dog from her neck.
The GoFundMe appeal has raised more than $28,000 to date.
Ms. Harrison said her’strong, courageous’ friend knew she did everything she could to save Imogen, who was scheduled to begin kindergarten this week, despite nasty remarks.
The ‘loud and lively’ little girl with a hearing disability received her first hearing aid just seven days before her death.
It was the very first time she heard her own voice.
Ms. Harrison remembered, “She inserted it and asked, “Is that my voice, mother?””
And her mother responded, “Yes, yes it is”
Instead of preparing for Imogen’s first year of school, her family was faced with the arduous duty of burying her in the local church on Saturday.
Her elder brothers Bailey and Hayden were comforted by their pals as they said their final goodbyes while holding hands.
Ms. Harrison described it as heartbreaking to witness the five-year-coffin old’s carried into a hearse, decked with pink flowers and cowgirl boots.
She stated, “Imogen was supposed to begin kindergarten this year.”
Samantha Lennon is consoled by Tamara Harrison (left) and Bec Haddow (right) at Imogen’s funeral.
On Saturday, Imogen was laid to rest in St. Edward’s Catholic Church (photo).
At their sister’s funeral, Imogen’s older brothers Bailey (left) and Hayden (right) consoled one another.
She never lived out her life.
Something similar should not have occurred.
Ms. Harrison is currently collaborating with the Lennons to establish a foundation in Imogen’s name so that no one else may experience the anguish they are enduring.
Ms. Harrison, a pediatric nurse, was surprised to hear that the LifeVac, an airway clearance device manufactured in the United States, is available for purchase in Australia.
Despite its potential life-saving benefits, she and other coworkers with first aid training had never heard of the gadget, which has been certified by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
As part of the foundation, Ms. Harrison and the Lennons want to promote awareness of the LifeVac, make it freely available to the public, and educate parents and children about choking hazards.
The LifeVac is a portable suction device with a mask coupled to a lever resembling a plunger.
In an emergency, the plunger is placed toward the victim’s face and then lifted upwards to create a vacuum effect and clear the airway of any obstruction.
Pink flowers, cowboy boots, a pink ‘Ringers Western’ snapback cap, and images of butterflies and unicorns covered her coffin.
The funeral program was loaded with photographs of Imogen and her loved ones in brighter times.
Since its release in 2012, the medical equipment has saved 657 lives, including 395 children, according to data revealed by LifeVac on Tuesday.
Ms. Harrison stated that including the medical equipment in first-aid kits was vital, as was educating youngsters on the significance of chewing their food.
Ms. Harrison revealed that she recently learned about the American-made LifeVac (shown), a gadget used to clean airways.
Ms. Harrison characterized the Lennons as ‘kind-hearted’ dairy farmers. They told her that if they can prevent just one person from the same tragedy as their daughter, they will have improved the world.
The family has received some gift proposals from members of their close-knit community to assist with the creation of the foundation, but Ms. Harrison stated that they are still seeking additional funding.
As the family adjusts to life without Imogen, Ms. Harrison stated that preparations have already been made for what would have been her sixth birthday.
She stated, “This year, Imogen’s birthday wish was to go bowling.”
So, on May 24, they will all engage in this activity.
The LifeVac works by creating a vacuum to pull blockages out of airways
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