A school community is in mourning after popular A level student Josh Dorgu collapsed and died in front of his shocked classmates.
Staff desperately tried to revive 18-year-old Josh by performing CPR after he fell ill during a Maths lesson at Highgate School on Tuesday, but were unable to resuscitate him.
An ambulance took him to the Royal Free Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Highgate School Headmaster Adam Pettitt, said: “This is a terrible tragedy for Josh’s family, the school and its community. Josh was a lively, intelligent young man of strong faith with an irrepressible gift for making people laugh, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Josh’s father, the Rev Karowei Dorgu, vicar of St John’s Evangelist Church, in Holloway, his mother Dr Mosun Dorgu, a pscychiatrist, and older brother Timi were at a service at the church on Sunday morning.
Close family friend Lloyd Milo, a warden at St John’s, said: “Josh was a wondeful boy. He was like a grandson to me and my wife Ann. We have just been at the family’s house. They are doing the best they can. People are coming in and out to see them.”
A special service was held in the school’s chapel on Wednesday, packed full of Josh’s friends, who lit candles in his memory.
Mr Pettitt said: “The pupils, especially Josh’s friends and peers, have conducted themselves magnificently in the face of this terrible news. Josh’s parents are receiving much warm and expert support from the church community, family, friends and colleagues.
“We know that they are keen to involve his friends and the school in arrangements for his funeral to mark his passing and celebrate his life. The thoughts and prayers of the whole Highgate community are with them.”
A school spokeswoman said: “The exact reasons for his collapse are not yet known, but we understand he was treated for a cardiac incident.”
She said support was being provided to pupils and staff by bereavement charity, Grief Encounter, as well as the school’s chaplains, Rachel Weir and Nick Lamb, along with Rabbi Liss of Highgate Synagogue.
Details of a funeral and memorial service will be confirmed soon.
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