Five shrubs and a tree are new at Foothills elementary, and Brodie Sawatsky's ashes were sprinkled there this spring, alongside the school playground where the 12-year-old died on Dec. 3.
The tree represents Brodie, and the shrubs represent the hugs of love ones, the way Brodie was embraced in life by his playmates and family, and by by medical professionals in his final moments.
On Thursday the youngster's mother Chantelle Sawatsky communicated with the public for the first time since the mysterious incident. She disclosed the results of the autopsy that determined how he died after playmates saw him dive for a ball but not get up.
He was conscious following the hard fall, but students and staff correctly assessed an ambulance was needed.
Paramedics arrived at the school at 10:41 a.m., less than 10 minutes from the school's 9-1-1 call, and arrived at University Hospital at about 11 a.m. By then his vital signs were gone. Resuscitation efforts continued until 12:41 p.m. with no response and Brodie was pronounced dead.
According to the autopsy report prepared by the B.C. Coroner's Service, "The cause of death was found to be due to lacerations to the internal brain (the septum pellucidum and the hippocampal fornices) due to a shearing force injury due to blunt force trauma. No evidence of injury to the skull, neck or other parts of the brain was found."
The coroner saw fit to make no recommendations out of this incident.
Chantelle Sawatsky said there was no indication of inappropriate play preceding the injury and she was impressed with the efforts of school district staff and medical personnel to revive the child.
"There was nothing anyone could have done any differently that could have saved Brodie's life that morning," she said.
"The boys he was playing with showed concern and caring for Brodie. As his friends and classmates knew, my son played hard and aggressive."
She thanked all involve during that morning, and singled out School District 57 superintendent Brian Pepper and board chair Lyn Hall for their kindnesses following the tragedy. She thanked the school Parent Advisory Council for providing the tree and shrubs that now stand as a living monument to him.
"Brodie's sister and I are doing the best we can each day," she said. "We miss him so much. I hope this answers all of the questions surrounding Brodie's death."
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