A 29-year-old man died from a rare heart condition on the morning of his friend’s wedding.
And the devastated parents of Matthew Wallbank, of Lime Street, Great Harwood, have awoken of their shock at their apparently healthy son’s sudden death.
They have made an emotional plea to young people across East Lancashire to get tested for the condition in a bid to prevent heartache for other families.
On average eight people per week die as a result of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome in the UK, which affects young people aged 18 – 35.
An inquest n Walthamstow Coroner’s Court, London, into the former Blackburn College student’s death revealed that he died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome – a deadly condition where the heart goes into an irregular rhythm and stops functioning as a working pump, causing heart failure.
Matthew’s mum Lesley, 56, and dad, Steven, 57, have been left devastated by the death of their ‘popular’ and ‘fit and healthy’ son.
Lesley, of Northcliffe, Great Harwood, said: “No one should ever have to lose a child, it’s the wrong order, he was so fit and healthy, we thought he was going to have a nice weekend then come back. We’re never going to get over it.
“He was really protective over his sister, Rebecca, she misses him terribly. He was well-liked, caring, gentle and loving.
“He loved his music, he had 400 CDs. We put them in stacks of ten, tied them up with ribbon, put a photo on the top and gave them to his friends.
“He was always ready with a hug and a kiss to tell you how much he loved you. We miss him so much, it is hard without him.
“He made people feel special. When he was a boy he was quiet and one of our neighbours said whenever he spoke to her he made her feel special but she said it was Matthew who was special.”
All of Matthew’s family are now to have their hearts screened.
Charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, or CRY, was set up to raise awareness about the issue and to encourage young people to get screened.
Matthew, a support worker for the National Autistic Society at a centre in Great Harwood, had been in London for his former university flatmate and friend Jon Tant’s wedding. The Northampton University graduate had travelled to London with friend Eddie Whittle, an IT consultant, from Great Harwood.
After spending an evening out, his friends were unable to wake him. An ambulance was called and it was discovered that he had died in his sleep. He did on May 24 but the post mortem examination results have only just been announced.
Lesley said: “Matthew packed a lot in 29 years. He was popular, happy, full of life and had a promising future in front of him with the National Autistic Society.
“He lived life to the full and we are grateful for that. Our lives are so empty without him, we have to thank him for the last 29 years.
“Not a day goes by without us thinking about the past 29 years. Instead of thinking about what he’s missing, each day is a day closer to getting back to him, it gives us hope.”
Pathologist Dr Peter Tanner said at the inquest there was no sign of any injury, disease r anything else that could have explained the death.
He said: “There were no drugs in his system and although his alcohol level was high it was well under the minimum level to be fatal.
“I believe it was Sudden Adult Death Syndrome – when the heart goes into an irregular rhythm and stops functioning as a pump. He wouldn’t have felt any pain and it would only have taken seconds.”
Coroner Dr Elizabeth Sterns recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.
