Hundreds attend funeral of teenage footballer who died after cardiac arrest on the pitch

Hundreds of people have gathered in Nottingham to pay tribute to a teenage footballer who collapsed and later died following a cardiac arrest during a football match.

Samuel Akwasi, who was 13-years-old, died while playing for his club FC Cavaliers under-13s on the 7th May 2022.

Today mourners carried his coffin out from the packed Mansfield Road Baptist Church, for his funeral service.

These youngsters who were at today's service said Samuel was "always there to make people laugh".

Samuel's coach Everton Richards says more defibrillators should be installed in public places, and need to be .readily available and accessible

According to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, every week in the UK, around 12 young people (under the age of 35) die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms.

What are signs of an undiagnosed heart condition?

According to Dr Cox:

• Exercise related chest pain

• Passing out during exercise

• Family history of young sudden death

• Family history of heart problems

CRY charity perform screenings which are funded by families who have been affected by a young sudden cardiac arrest and are able to diagnose most cardiac abnormalities.

Any person who wants to be screened can go to the CRY website to book a screening. For more information click here