Inquest opens on Shropshire teenager Lewis Smith

A Shropshire teenager who died after collapsing during a school PE lesson had a rare, undetected heart condition, an inquest heard today.

Lewis Smith was rushed to hospital after the football training session at Burton Borough School in Newport.

An inquest at Telford Magistrates Court heard the 15-year-old, from Howle near Newport, died at Princess Royal Hospital following heart failure caused by myocardial ischaemia.

Telford & Wrekin coroner Mr John Ellery recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

The inquest earlier heard paramedics found teachers trying to resuscitate Lewis at the school at about 9.30am on November 16 last year.

Sergeant Andy Garrett, of Malinsgate Police Station, told the coroner: "Police look for any circumstances which we could be interested in investigating. But it was found to be a tragic incident that related to the heart condition that Lewis was found to suffer from."

After the hearing Lewis's mother Joanne Smith, 43, paid tribute to her "darling son". Mrs Smith, a pre-school leader in Tibberton, said: "The house is so quiet without him and we all miss him so much. We had 15 brilliant years with Lewis and are really thankful for them.

"He was so energetic, a whirlwind."

She added: "Lewis had this condition since birth and that's the reason his life came to an end. It could have hit at any time as he was diagnosed as hyperactive.

"He had always been on the go, climbing Snowdon, jumping into the sea at Anglesey and playing with the Cadets and Scouts."

Mrs Smith said she and husband Benjamin, 43, were coping with the tragedy by caring for their other son Sebastian, 13, and raising awareness of Lewis's condition.