Teacher's heartbreak at death of son after music festival

A NEW MILTON schoolteacher has spoken of her devastation after her son died having been taken ill at Reading Festival.

The news that university student Corey Kendall had passed away was publicly shared in a newsletter to parents by New Milton Junior School, where his mother, Jo, is a Year 6 teacher.

Under the heading “Very sad news”, the note said: “Many of you will be aware of the tragic news that Mrs Kendall’s eldest son, Corey, passed away.

It shared a statement from her, saying: “The hearts of family and friends are broken by the loss of our beloved Corey. Corey brought happiness and laughter to so many people.

“He was passionate about his family, his friends, about life and the people he looked after. It is incredibly hard for his mum, dad, brother and sister that his sunshine no longer shines on us.

“We ask that we are given privacy and peace at this very difficult time.”

The school's note concluded: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Kendall and her family.”

It is understood Mr Kendall was attending the Reading Festival music event on 24th August when he fell ill just before 11pm while close to one of the stages.

Thames Valley Police said the man involved was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital but died two days later. It added his death was “unexplained”.

When the A&T approached the force it said it had passed on the investigation to Berkshire Coroner’s Office.

The coroner’s office said the case of Corey Kendall was under “open investigation”. A date had not yet been set for the opening of the inquest, he added.