Kentucky boy, 8, dies after consuming strawberries at school fundraiser, health department warns against eating any fruit from event

MADISONVILLE, KENTUCKY: An eight-year-old boy from Kentucky reportedly died after consuming strawberries at a school fundraiser benefiting Madisonville North Hopkins High School and Hopkins County Central High School athletics.

This devastating loss prompted widespread concern and led to the issuance of numerous stark warnings and safety precautions.  Authorities are urging residents to discard any strawberries obtained from the event as a precautionary measure, following reports of multiple adverse reactions. 

Eight-year-old boy showed signs of an allergic reaction after consuming strawberries at school fundraiser 

According to The US Sun, on Friday, March 15, the Madisonville Police Department responded to a 911 call from the eight-year-old boy's parents after they discovered him unresponsive at home.

He was swiftly transported to the hospital emergency room, where he died.

According to the child's family, they had attended the fundraiser on Thursday and upon returning home that night, he began displaying signs of an allergic reaction. In an attempt to alleviate his symptoms, they administered Benadryl and a bath soak, but these measures proved ineffective.

Subsequently, they took him to the emergency room around 10.30 pm on Thursday night before eventually bringing him back home.

During the investigation into the child's death, hospital personnel informed the police of additional individuals seeking medical assistance due to adverse reactions from ingesting strawberries provided at the fundraiser.

According to a police statement, several hospital staff members noted that others had presented symptoms such as "rashes and other allergic responses after consuming strawberries" from the same event.

This initial advisory led to heightened concern within the community, prompting local leaders to address speculations regarding possible drug contamination. Promptly, Madisonville Police Department Mayor Jason McKnight clarified, "As of right now we have no reason to believe that fentanyl or any other type of narcotic is involved in this"

Cautionary warning against consuming the strawberries doesn't implicate the supplier

Samples of the fruit were collected by environmentalists from the Department of Public Health for testing, while the medical examiner concluded that the child's death appeared to be an isolated incident stemming from an allergic reaction.

Nevertheless, Dr Christopher Kiefer, the medical examiner, advised against consuming the strawberries, emphasizing the preliminary nature of the report.

Health Department Director Denise Beach clarified that the cautionary warning did not implicate the fruit supplier, stating, "We cannot conjecture. There could be other explanations, but with caution, we are issuing a statement asking people to not eat these strawberries."

Coroner Dennis Mayfield acknowledged public concern for safety but urged restraint out of respect for the grieving family.

He noted, "As much as everyone is worried about strawberries and their children eating these things, if they’re safe, but a family has lost someone important to them, so they’re in a lot of pain right now so just give them a little space."