Nursery faces legal action after ‘heartbreaking’ death of toddler who choked on a sausage

Legal action under health and safety legislation has been launched over the death of a child who choked on a sausage at nursery.

Sadie Salt, aged two, is believed to have choked while eating lunch with 25 other young children at Mini Learners in Radlett, Hertfordshire, on November 12 2020, dying in hospital two days later.

On Tuesday, Hertsmere Borough Council said it had authorised a prosecution under health and safety laws following "a full and thorough investigation".

Sadie’s parents Zoe and Adam said in a statement through their solicitor: “Nearly six years have passed since Sadie’s death, and throughout that time we have continued to suffer grief and heartbreak every day.

“Nothing can make up for the devastating loss of our daughter, and the impact of her death remains with us in every aspect of our lives.

“We are grateful to Hertsmere Borough Council for its thorough investigation of Sadie’s case and to everyone who has worked to help bring matters to this point.

“As formal charges have been brought, it is important that this legal process is allowed to run its course.

“In due course we will be looking to the inquest into Sadie’s death to give us answers we have been waiting so long to know.”

An inquest into Sadie’s death was opened and adjourned in 2022.

Since she died, her parents have campaigned to stop nurseries feeding higher risk foods such as sausages and grapes to under fives.

Jill Paterson from legal firm Leigh Day said: “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for Sadie’s family, who have shown remarkable strength and resilience since her death.

“We will continue to support them as they seek and await answers about what happened to their daughter at Mini Learners nursery in Hertfordshire in November 2020.”