A UK schoolboy died from an allergic reaction after another student threw cheese down his shirt, an inquest has heard.

Karanbir Cheema, 13, was severely allergic to wheat, gluten, all dairy products, eggs and all nuts, the UK’s Telegraph reports.

The London student went into cardiac arrest after suffering from an anaphylactic reaction at his school on June 28.

He was taken to hospital where he died 10 days later.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Kieran Oppatt – who was the first paramedic on the scene – said he was told by school staff that “perhaps someone had chased the patient with cheese and had proceeded to throw it down his T-shirt”, The Independent reports.

Mr Oppatt said the allergic reaction already rapidly progressed by the time he arrived at the school.

“He appeared to be in a state of pre-arrest, he had very slow respirations, he was gasping for air,” Mr Oppatt said.

“He appeared to be suffering from an allergic reaction.

“His skin was red and there appeared to be hives.”

Staff at the school had given Karanbir a dose of antihistamine, his inhaler and administered an epipen.

However, he was still struggling to breathe and after paramedics arrived he went into cardiac arrest.

Another student at the school, who was suspected of throwing the cheese, was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, but is yet to be charged.

Detective Sergeant Christian Rodgers, said the incident had been “pupil on pupil”.

“The person involved is no longer at the school,” he said.

Speaking outside the hearing, Karanbir’s mother Rina Cheema said her son had been managing his allergies well.

“I am devastated as a mother after losing my son and my family have lost their brother,” she said.