Tragedy as teenager suffers heart attack

A schoolboy has died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Cannock.

An air ambulance flew to the scene but was not in time to save 13-year-old Connor Jordan Allen who was pronounced dead at his home in Bowes Drive, Chadsmoor.

The helicopter landed on the playing field in Wright's Avenue, which forms part of Redhill Community Primary School, at around 5.30pm yesterday.

Staffordshire Police say they are not treating the death as suspicious, however, officers will be compiling a report for the South Staffordshire coroner following the sudden death and a post mortem will be carried out in due course

Connor was a pupil at Cannock Chase High School. His headteacher, Barrie Scott, paid tribute to him this morning.

He said: "We were shocked and saddened to learn this morning of the death of Connor Allen in Year 9. Connor joined Cannock Chase High School at the beginning of March and had settled in really well.

"His teachers describe him as a delightful, enthusiastic boy and a ray of sunshine in class. Connor had already made some good new friends, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad time."

Suzie Fothergill, of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Crews arrived to find a teenage boy who was in cardiac arrest. Crews and the doctor quickly took over resuscitation attempts and administered advanced life support. Unfortunately despite their best efforts nothing could be done to save the boy and he was confirmed dead at the scene."

Lyn Ashby, of nearby Benion Road, said: "We saw the Air Ambulance land and quite a number of people had gathered."

Connor's family were too distressed to talk about the incident today.