Teen electrocuted by DVD player

A teenage boy was found electrocuted on the living room floor of his Black Country home by his father after apparently trying to mend a DVD player.

An inquest into the death of Patrick Heeks was opened and adjourned today.

Patrick, aged 16, of Thorns Road, Quarry Bank, was discovered by his father Leslie when he returned from a night shift on Sunday morning.

At West Bromwich Coroners Court this morning Black Country Coroner Robin Balmain said the circumstances of the accident were unclear but it appeared the teenager, who was inquisitive, had been fiddling with a DVD player.

A dismantled DVD player was found on the floor next to him. Patrick lived with his father in Quarry Bank.

He was a pupil at Earls High School in Furnace Lane, Halesowen, where his mother still lives. The school was informed of the tragedy on Monday morning and has sent flowers to his family.

Police were called to the address at 7.30am where they discovered Patrick’s body. A spokesman confirmed the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Earls High vice-principal Richard Jacobs said: “We are all saddened to hear about the loss of Patrick Heeks.

“He was a well thought of and well-liked young man. He was exceptionally bright and had a confidence that enabled him to plough his own furrow rather than follow the herd.”