Ben's sudden death tragedy
A young schoolboy who died after contracting an infection which caused his heart to stop while he slept, had been due to see his doctor to try and discover why he had been feeling unwell, an inquest has heard. A young schoolboy who died after contracting an infection which caused his heart to stop while he slept, had been due to see his doctor to try and discover why he had been feeling unwell, an inquest has heard. Ben Atkins' mother Ann Atkins, a teacher, had been trying to wake the 10-year-old for a doctor's appointment the morning she discovered that he had died. An inquest at Dudley Coroners Court yesterday heard that the youngster, a pupil at St James's School in Wollaston, had been unwell the day before. He had vomited several times throughout the previous evening prompting his mother to call an out of hours doctor. Black Country Coroner Robin Balmain recorded a verdict of natural causes after hearing that Ben had suffered from a condition called lymphocytic myocarditis probably caused by a viral infection which had affected his heart and led to an abnormal heart rhythm. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Ben Atkins' mother Ann Atkins, a teacher, had been trying to wake the 10-year-old for a doctor's appointment the morning she discovered that he had died.
An inquest at Dudley Coroners Court yesterday heard that the youngster, a pupil at St James's School in Wollaston, had been unwell the day before.
He had vomited several times throughout the previous evening prompting his mother to call an out of hours doctor.
Black Country Coroner Robin Balmain recorded a verdict of natural causes after hearing that Ben had suffered from a condition called lymphocytic myocarditis probably caused by a viral infection which had affected his heart and led to an abnormal heart rhythm.
Mr Balmain said: "He succumbed to an infection that in the vast majority of cases would not have been fatal."
Mrs Atkins told the inquest that her son was very active and had been a playground buddy at his school looking after younger pupils.
She said that she had told her son, who loved animals and playing computer games, how much she loved him while checking on him during the night.
She added: "I had phoned the out of hours doctor because I was concerned but was told it seemed like an upset stomach.
"But the next morning I called our GP to make an appointment for him and when I was told they could see him that morning I went into his room to wake him up.
"I just screamed when I realised that I couldn't get him to wake."
Speaking after the inquest his mother said that she and the rest of Ben's family were still struggling to come to terms with his death.
She said: "I am just devastated, it is hard to put into words how we feel, he is missed so much."
