Boy runner dropped dead after trying to activate speed warning sign

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Andrew Underwood, 14, had a heart defect he did not know about, an inquest into his death heard.

He and his friends had been running along a 30mph road near his home in Baildon, West Yorkshire.

They were trying to activate the road sign, which alternates between telling drivers to slow down and warning them of an upcoming bend.

Andrew began to feel dizzy and then collapsed, so his friends carried him to one of their houses.

The youngster then collapsed a second time and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where he died.

Pathologist Patrick Waugh told the inquest that the teenager died from heart failure.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Andrew had an inherited heart disorder which could have struck him down at any time, he said.

"There are many genes that make up the heart muscles, it just needs one abnormal gene," he said. "Some people with it are extremely healthy until a solitary event."

Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

After the inquest on Friday, Andrew's family said that his sister Hazel was being tested in case she had the same genetic condition.

His mother Jill, 48, a nurse at Bradford Royal Infirmary said: "Andrew was a typical fun-loving teenager. He lived life to the full and was sports mad. He was so fit and healthy.

"He was like any other normal lad and liked to mess about with his friends. He was having a laugh and being boisterous with them when he was running to see if he could trigger the signs."

She added: "The condition can be hereditary, but there was no way we could have had any warning. I just can't believe it happened to Andrew when he was so healthy.

"Everyone loved him so much and we all miss him every day."

More than 300 family members and friends packed a local church to pay their final respects to the boy. His coffin was draped with a Leeds Rhinos rugby league flag and a Leeds United football shirt signed by the players.