Around 250 people stage a peaceful 'community demonstration' in their campaign for more answers over the death of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola
| | Campaigners of all ages were out in force on Sunday (June 29) calling for more information over the death of Zane Gbangbola. Around 250 people joined in the peaceful community demonstration on Chertsey Bridge and outside the family home in nearby Thameside. |
Zane was taken ill from the flooded home on February 8 and died in hospital.
Campaigners believe his death could have been down to leaking hydrogen cyanide from neighbouring land which was formerly a landfill site.
Zane's parents, Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler, remain unconvinced after Surrey Police said earlier this month that pathology tests had shown the cause of death was carbon monoxide intoxication.
Kye, 48, and Nicole, 36, were also hospitalised and they say traces of hydrogen cyanide were found in their blood following tests after their home and neighbouring properties were evacuated.
Campaigners at Sunday's demonstration held up a series of banners with messages such as "A healthy little boy is dead. Who will be next?" "Are we safe to live near landfill?" and "Public safety should be the highest priority".
Addressing the crowd outside his home, Kye thanked everyone for their "fantastic" support.
"This is not political, it's about a small boy and truth and justice. We deserve honest answers. It's quite obvious that children do not die instantly in the night for no reason.
"There are no words to explain the pain, sorrow and despair that Nicole and I and you are feeling.
"Nicole and I are just parents trying to do out best to find answers. We are doing what any parents would do for our kids."
Kye said Zane was a "ray of sunshine who always had a smile". "He was surrounded by love, which he exuded back tenfold. The world was a much richer place for Zane in it."
Kye continued: "Zane was only seven and had a promising life ahead of him. No child in the UK should be able to go to bed and not wake up. We say never again."
Kye said the family is not interested in money or blame. "Zane was simply irreplaceable but we do need answers and there are solutions," he added.
"7,000 people have signed Zane's petition and that number is rapidly rising because people will not be fooled by the authority claims. We say don't treat the public like idiots, they know when something is seriously wrong.
"Let's make this gathering the start of change.
"Thank you for listening and thank you for helping."
Among those attending the demonstration were Walton on Thames residents Suella Ritchie, 42, her husband Kevin, 44, and their seven-year-old son Dillon, who was best friends with Zane at St George's Junior School in Weybridge.
Mrs Ritchie said when Zane died Dillion had a lot of questions and was very upset. "He's been very strong about it, although it's upsetting for him because with all the controversy he just wants his friend to be left alone and not having the truth is not fair."
Local vicar Laurence Gamlen also attended the demonstration.
"It's been a really good expression of community concern, which I hope the authorities will take notice of," he said. "I hope it reminds them that this issue will not go away."
Original story from GetSurrey by Stephen Lloyd
Campaigners believe his death could have been down to leaking hydrogen cyanide from neighbouring land which was formerly a landfill site.
Zane's parents, Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler, remain unconvinced after Surrey Police said earlier this month that pathology tests had shown the cause of death was carbon monoxide intoxication.
Kye, 48, and Nicole, 36, were also hospitalised and they say traces of hydrogen cyanide were found in their blood following tests after their home and neighbouring properties were evacuated.
Campaigners at Sunday's demonstration held up a series of banners with messages such as "A healthy little boy is dead. Who will be next?" "Are we safe to live near landfill?" and "Public safety should be the highest priority".
Addressing the crowd outside his home, Kye thanked everyone for their "fantastic" support.
"This is not political, it's about a small boy and truth and justice. We deserve honest answers. It's quite obvious that children do not die instantly in the night for no reason.
"There are no words to explain the pain, sorrow and despair that Nicole and I and you are feeling.
"Nicole and I are just parents trying to do out best to find answers. We are doing what any parents would do for our kids."
Kye said Zane was a "ray of sunshine who always had a smile". "He was surrounded by love, which he exuded back tenfold. The world was a much richer place for Zane in it."
Kye continued: "Zane was only seven and had a promising life ahead of him. No child in the UK should be able to go to bed and not wake up. We say never again."
Kye said the family is not interested in money or blame. "Zane was simply irreplaceable but we do need answers and there are solutions," he added.
"7,000 people have signed Zane's petition and that number is rapidly rising because people will not be fooled by the authority claims. We say don't treat the public like idiots, they know when something is seriously wrong.
"Let's make this gathering the start of change.
"Thank you for listening and thank you for helping."
Among those attending the demonstration were Walton on Thames residents Suella Ritchie, 42, her husband Kevin, 44, and their seven-year-old son Dillon, who was best friends with Zane at St George's Junior School in Weybridge.
Mrs Ritchie said when Zane died Dillion had a lot of questions and was very upset. "He's been very strong about it, although it's upsetting for him because with all the controversy he just wants his friend to be left alone and not having the truth is not fair."
Local vicar Laurence Gamlen also attended the demonstration.
"It's been a really good expression of community concern, which I hope the authorities will take notice of," he said. "I hope it reminds them that this issue will not go away."
Original story from GetSurrey by Stephen Lloyd
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