A teenage boy who died while playing football at school complained of shortness of breath a month earlier, an inquest has heard.
Jake Lawler, 15, died on November 5 last year after collapsing at Ashton on Mersey School in Sale, Trafford. An inquest into the teenager’s death was opened at Stockport Coroners’ Court today (Thursday, January 16).
The hearing was told that a month before his death, Jake, from Sale, attended Wythenshawe hospital complaining of shortness of breath while playing football. He had also collapsed around that time, the court heard.
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A post mortem gave the cause of death as biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, a rare genetic condition that can cause a weakened heart muscle. Senior coroner Alison Mutch adjourned the hearing for a full inquest on April 15.
In a statement at the time of his death Jake’s school paid tribute, saying: “Our school community was absolutely devastated by the loss of one of our much loved and precious students, Jake Lawler, who recently passed away in tragic circumstances. As a school, we keep his family and friends in our thoughts and continue to support our students and staff during this incredibly difficult time.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to share a link to Jake’s memorial fund, set up by his family to raise awareness of a very worthy cause – CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). The money will go towards raising awareness of young sudden cardiac death as well as supporting the families affected, supporting their screening programme and funding research and pathology.”
Donations can be made here.