The parents of a 17-year-old boy will never know for certain why he collapsed and died while doing his paper round. 

James Copsey, who lived in Newstead Avenue Radcliffe-on-Trent, died on November 6.  An inquest has been told how he was doing his morning paper round when he collapsed next to his bike. 

Notts Coroner Dr Nigel Chapman could only say James, a student, had died from a heart problem – even though he had no history of a heart condition.  But despite extensive tests, he could not “give a definitive answer.” 

Dr Chapman recorded an open verdict at the inquest, saying the case came under the terms of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.  Dr Chapman told the boy’s parents: “Our hearts go out to you.  There can be no worse time for you than a few weeks before Christmas.” 

He also warned that, if the couple had any other children, they should be medically examined to see if they too had any heart problems. 

After the inquest James’s father, Neil Copsey, a visiting prison lecturer, said: “We would have liked to know a specific cause of death but we understand that it wasn’t possible. 

“We just have to accept that.” 

According to charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, between four and eight apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions in the UK every week. 

People frequently die of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which is also known as Sudden Adult Arrhythmic Syndrome, when doing something normal in everyday life such as eating, taking exercise or sleeping. 

It is thought that cot death, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, may be partly due to the same causes. 

Mr Copsey said: “After James died, we did ask for donations for the ‘Keep the Beat’ appeal. 

“It’s a campaign being run by the Radcliffe-on-Trent Swimming Pool Association to raise money for a heart defibrillator. 

“It’s raised nearly £1,200 and we would like to thank anyone who has contributed.”