'Screening might have saved our grandson'

A woman whose 15-year-old grandson died from a rare heart condition has spoken of her family’s loss in the hope of preventing another tragedy. 

Lorraine Bentham, of Chester Road, Flint, whose grandson David Harry died two years ago just two weeks before his 16^th birthday, is urging health bosses to screen teenagers for heart conditions to see if they are at risk. 

David died at his home in New Earswick, Yorks, where he lived with his mother Tracy, stepfather Ian Way, and brothers James, 20, Ryan, six, and sister Amy, aged 14. 

He was found in his bed by his mother and his older brother after he failed to get up for school. 

Mrs Bentham said she is still not over his death.  She said: “It just makes me sick thinking about what we went through.  You never expect to bury your own grandson. 

“He was a lovely boy and had a lot going for him.  It was terrible to lose him. 

“I was told about the death by police.  My husband and I had to drive to York, not knowing what had happened.  It was a terrible journey.” 

A post mortem examination revealed that David had died of young cardiac death.  The rest of the family was tested later and found to be alright. 

Mrs Bentham said: “What was worse was that it was so unexpected.  He went to bed after a night out with his friends.  He was perfectly healthy.  He liked playing football and other sports and he played a lot with his mates.  He was a perfectly normal, healthy boy, who you would never suspect of having any trouble. 

“But if he had had the screening then I believe we could have helped him and he would still be here today.” 

On Friday, Mrs Bentham and her husband Brian met Delyn MP David Hanson and AM Sandy Mewies (below, pictured with Doreen Harley) as they give their support to the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) organisation. 

The meeting was organised by Deeside mother Doreen Harley, who lost her own daughter through an undetected heart problem. 

Mr Hanson said: “I think it is vital that there is better screening for high risk families and that people are made aware of the possible risks so that they go to get checked out.” 

Mrs Mewies said: “It is amazing that 7 out of 79 young people screened by CRY in their last campaign had a cardiac condition which they didn’t know about.  And cases like the tragic death of Mrs Bentham’s grandson highlight how important that screening could be.”