The two-year-old died in his mum and dad's arms at the same moment hundreds of balloons were released in his honour
A toddler who was in a coma after choking on a grape at Pizza Hut lost his fight for life just as hundreds gathered to show their support by releasing balloons.
The plight of little Jacob Jenkins, two, touched the hearts of the people of Hartlepool so deeply the whole community met on the seafront to release yellow balloons
Jacob had been in a coma at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle as his parents Abigail Wilson and David Jenkins kept a bedside vigil, praying for their son to pull through.
A huge crowd of wellwishers met with yellow balloons to let them off into the sky in support of Jacob, reports the Gazette.
It was a symbol of the town's unity with his parents, and people said prayers as their balloons drifted out across the North Sea.
However his mum and dad chose that moment to let him slip away, with all hope of a recovery gone.
Abigail said: “Jacob grew his angel wings at 7pm as people let off their balloons.
“We chose this time to let him go as we knew everyone would be thinking of him and have him in their thoughts.
“There was nothing we could do. Jacob died in mine and his dad’s arms with his family by his side.
"We then went outside and released our own balloons.”
At the balloon release people spoke of their hopes for Jacob's recovery.
Mark Wilson, 36, went along with his own children.
He said: "Hartlepool is a close knit town and we look after our own.
"This little lad has brought the whole town together and we want his parents to know we are thinking about them.
"Everybody's hopes and prayers went up with those balloons, it was an amazing sight to see so many people gathered together for one little lad.
"As a parent it is chilling, there was nothing they could do, that could have been anybody's son."
Wendy Graham, 43, added: "Jacob's story has really hit home, everybody in the town is talking about him.
"It's lovely to think so many people care about him and I hope it's a comfort to his parents."
Meanwhile, the family have also thanked friend Ben Picken, who set up a Go Fund Me page for Jacob.
“We can’t thank Ben Picken, who is a family friend, enough for starting it for us.”
The fund, yesterday, smashed the £5,000 mark with balloon company Balloonies hoping to add to the fund.
Lee Chapman, from the party supplies shop in Murray’s Street, say profits from balloons sold for the release in Jacob’s name will be donated to the family.
Mr Chapman said: “We have had loads of enquiries, and we are going to give all of the money we make back to the family.”
Jacob stopped breathing for around 30 minutes on Friday, while first aiders worked to remove the grape.
The restaurant remained closed until Monday.
A Pizza Hut spokesman said: “Following careful consideration and discussion with the staff involved, we have now re-opened our Hartlepool Hut.
“Our thoughts continue to be very much with Jacob and his family at this very difficult time.”
Jacob was enjoying a family meal when the horrific incident happened last Friday evening.
A piece of fruit became lodged in his throat prompting a frantic emergency response.
Jacob's mum Abigail Wilson told how a restaurant first aider tried to help as his dad David Jenkins rushed outside for help.
Two first aiders from the entertainment complex in Hartlepool also gave medical assistance before paramedics arrived and took Jacob to hospital in an air ambulance.
