THOMAS More’s Blake Kerdachi a Grade 11 pupil has passed away.

Blake had been on the 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 and on Friday afternoon he underwent surgery in an attempt to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.

Unfortunately this did not succeed and he passed away at 19.11, “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 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.