A Cork teenager who died in a freak accident after becoming trapped in railings suffered a heart attack, an inquest has heard.
Leon Connon (14) from The Orchards, Kinsale, Co Cork died at Cork University Hospital on January 29th 2014, four days after he collapsed and became trapped in fencing close to his housing estate.
At Cork City Coroner's Court, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said the cause of death was a lack of oxygen to the brain due to a heart attack as a result of becoming trapped in railings.
“The cause of death was hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, due to cardiac arrest due to entrapment in railings,” Dr Bolster said.
At the inquest, Det Insp Declan O’Sullivan applied for a six month adjournment of proceedings to allow for the completion of a file, which he said was almost ready for submission to the DPP.
Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane extended her condolences to the family on what she described as their "tragic loss"
Emergency services had rushed to the scene of the accident in Kinsale where CPR was carried out and Leon was later transferred by ambulance to hospital where he was placed on life support.
Leon's funeral service at St John the Baptist Church was broadcast to classmates at Kinsale Community College, where he was described as 'Leon the Lion, the strong one'.
Mourners were told of Leon’s great love of sport, music, King Arthur, the history of war and of his great qualities as a friend.
The inquest was adjourned until May 7th, 2015.