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Tributes to 'Spider-Man' boy, 5, after radiator fall

Mohammad Aslam A young boy called Saleh looks directly to camera. He has dark hair and is wearing a black and green coat over a multi coloured t-shirt. He is stood on a concrete path and to the left of the background is grass. Mohammad Aslam
Saleh was playing at home during the school holidays when the accident happened

The heartbroken parents of a five-year-old who died in an accident as he was playing Spider-Man have paid tribute to him.

Saleh Aslam was playing at home in Watford, Hertfordshire, during the half term break when a 40kg (6st) towel radiator he was climbing came away from the wall, causing severe head injuries.

The emergency services were called to the house at about 15:40 GMT on 28 October, but despite efforts, Saleh died later the same day at Watford General Hospital.

Saleh’s father, Mohammad Aslam, told BBC Three Counties: "We have no words to explain the pain."

Mohammad Aslam Saleh Aslam smiling. He is outside a school building and wearing a coat and superhero outfit. He has dark hair and is looking to his right as he smiles. Mohammad Aslam
Saleh Aslam died when a radiator he was climbing came away from a wall and struck him

His father said Saleh was playing Spider-Man games at his home in the Garston area while he and his siblings were off school for half term with their mother Bibi Khadija.

"She literally went upstairs for two minutes," explained Mr Aslam.

"As he tried to climb, it [the radiator] came off the hook – the entire radiator, which was around 40kg.

"It knocked his head and that unfortunate event caused him to bleed from his brain."

Speaking at his funeral on 2 November, his parents paid tribute to their "kind and humble" son, the Watford Observer reported.

Eric Johnson/BBC Mohammad Aslam looks to the camera. He has shoulder length dark wavy hair and black rimmed glasses. He has a faded black V-neck t-shirt on and is stood in front of a cream coloured wall with a television to the right hand side of the image. Eric Johnson/BBC
Saleh's dad, Mohammad Aslam, urged parents to ensure their children understood the difference between fantasy and reality
BBC Sounds
Mohammad Aslam Young boy with his tongue stuck out. He is posing with his right arm in the air and left arm on his side. He is wearing a yellow t-shirt with a cartoon character on it. He is in front of barrels of cuddly toys. Mohammad Aslam
Saleh was a fun-loving boy who loved to pretend to be superheroes, his family said

Mr Aslam said he wanted to urge parents to ensure their children understood the difference between fantasy and reality with superhero characters.

"There are a lot of virtual characters, which are there to entertain children such as Superman and Spider-Man, but these kids do not understand that they do not in reality exist," he said.

"That's precisely what happened to Saleh - he was thinking he was Spider-Man and tried to climb, which caused the fatal crash, and he passed away."

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said Saleh's death was not being treated as suspicious.

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it attended the boy's home on 28 October.

"A boy was transported to Watford General Hospital in a serious condition. We would like to express our condolences to the boy's family."

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