Three years after an apple-choking incident at a preschool in western Japan, 3-year-old Koshi Tamura remains in a coma, kept alive by a ventilator and requiring continuous care from his parents.
According to Kyodo News, the accident occurred while Koshi was eating at school, when he choked on a piece of apple. Although he received emergency treatment, his brain suffered severe damage, leaving him unable to breathe on his own or respond to his surroundings.
Since then, Koshi's parents have taken turns staying by his side, performing medical procedures such as suctioning mucus and adjusting the ventilator, as well as handling hygiene and nutrition through a feeding tube. Their lives now revolve almost entirely around their son's hospital bed.
The Tamura family's story has once again raised concerns about meal safety for young children in educational settings. Experts argue that stricter regulations are needed for food preparation, especially for hard fruits, to prevent similar tragedies.
Despite doctors saying that recovery is highly unlikely, Koshi's parents continue to hold out hope, vowing to keep fighting as long as their son is still breathing.
