Mystery of six-year-old boy's sudden death as he played with friends at school

Declan Sumner, from Ribbleton, Preston, was playing at school when he suddenly fell to the ground and stopped breathing, as his horrified friends looked on.

A teacher managed to resuscitate him but his heart kept giving out on the way to hospital, where his parents took the heart-breaking decision to turn-off his life support machine.

Speaking today for the first time, his mother Heather Delaney, 25, and father Lee Sumner, 27, revealed that they are still completely in the dark about why Declan died.

Mr Sumner said: "Declan was as fit as a fiddle and was constantly smiling and everyone loved him.

"He was a huge Liverpool fan and loved playing football with his brother. He was a bright and bouncing lad and we just can't believe he has gone.

"His death is a real mystery and it hasn't really sunk in yet."

The six-year-old had been playing at Greenlands Community Primary School on March 6 when he collapsed.

A teacher realised he was not breathing and resuscitated him but medics had to shock him in the ambulance when his heart kept giving out.

He was put on a life-support machine in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury but hours later his parents decided he should be allowed to die.

His life support machine was switched off that night and he died at 8.30 the following morning.

Speaking today for the first time, they revealed their son had collapsed three times before and had been tested for epilepsy, but had been given the all-clear months before his death.

Ms Delaney, who also has two other young children, said: "Declan was always perfectly healthy until last summer when he suddenly collapsed at school and was out for about 30 seconds.

"A couple of months later, it happened again and he was referred to hospital for tests.

"His third fit was in October, again during playtime while he was running around and this time, he was taken to hospital.

"But in November, we got his test results back and doctors said there were no signs of epilepsy.

"It has come as such a shock as you hear about other people's children dying suddenly, but you never think it will happen to you." Mr Sumner paid tribute to his son's teachers and the community for their support following his death.

He said: "The school has been supportive. Declan's teacher Ethel McGuire gave him CPR in the playground and she came with us in the ambulance and came to Manchester with us as well.

"Everyone has been great and really helped us cope during this difficult time."