Tributes have been paid to Blaize Webb, who was described as the ‘most wonderful child a mother could ever wish for’ following an inquest into his death yesterday.
Mr Webb, who was due to go travelling in the days following his birthday, was discovered kneeling over a bathtub with his head submerged in water on 13 December.
The inquest heard that it was suspected that Mr Webb suffered a seizure while running a bath the afternoon after he had celebrated his birthday with friends.
He was found by Rose Hale, the landlady of the Africa House pub when fire alarms went off in the building. After Ms Hale shouted for help, two of the pub’s customers – including a trained nurse – attempted to revive him before four paramedics reached the Bath Street building to continue CPR, the inquest heard.
Despite their efforts Mr Webb failed to regain consciousness and he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Giving evidence to the inquest, consultant histo-pathologist Dr Peter Southall said that Mr Webb had a history of epilepsy and that his last recorded seizure had been in October 2014.
Dr Southall, who was involved in the post mortem examination, said that the most likely cause of death was sudden unexpected death in epilepsy but because it was a ‘complex case’ drowning could not be ruled out.
Police viscount liaison officer Tony Forder said that when officers arrived at the scene it was apparent that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
He added that officers found blister packs containing anti-seizure medication in Mr Webb’s bedroom.
Meanwhile, Jack Coughlan, who was celebrating with Mr Webb in the Africa House pub the night before his death, said that his friend was in a ‘happy’ mood and that the pair had spoken on the phone shortly before he ran the bath.
Mr Coughlan added Mr Webb had previously spoken about his epilepsy but that he did not appear to be worried about it.
Relief Coroner Osman El-Gazzar recorded a finding of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Following the hearing, Mr Webb’s mother Kerrie O’Connell paid tribute to her son.
‘He was a wonderful, beautiful boy taken far too early and in thoroughly tragic circumstances,’ she said.
‘He was a very talented rugby player and he loved his family dearly. He adored his three sisters and his two nephews. He really was the most wonderful child a mother could ever wish for.’
