Fit and healthy young dad, 33, dies of rare syndrome after waking up in a 'panic'

Greg Carr, who enjoyed playing football and regularly went to the gym, woke up feeling distressed and his fiancée called 999 but he later died in Royal Bolton Hospital

A sporty dad who went to bed feeling unwell woke up “distressed” and died just an hour later of a rare syndrome, an inquest heard.

Greg Carr, 33, complained of chest pains in the months leading up to his death but put it down to the stress of being a solicitor. On May 7 he went to bed feeling unwell but woke up early the next morning in a "panic".

His fiancée Rachael Cartwright initially tried to calm him down, but called 999 and performed CPR when she realised he was suffering a medical emergency. Tragically Greg later died in hospital.

An inquest into his death was held at Bolton Coroners' Court on Wednesday where it was concluded as a case of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). There was no explanation as to how or why Mr Carr went into cardiac arrest, Manchester Evening News reported.

The court heard Mr Carr was active, didn't drink to excess, didn't smoke, played football and went to the gym. He was working towards a promotion at his law firm and spent time with his family.

Miss Cartwright said: “It was around 6am. I originally thought he was having a panic attack or a nightmare. I was trying to calm him down for a couple of seconds and then I realised there was more to it. I told him I was going to ring an ambulance. He didn't respond to that and that's when I realised it was serious."

Consultant pathologist Dr Patrick Waugh said there were no signs of heart abnormalities and that Mr Carr appeared fit and healthy. Professor Mary Sheppard, a leading national authority on sudden cardiac death, was consulted, he added.

Mr Carr had a 'structurally normal heart' the court heard. Dr Waugh added: "This is definitely a death that is cardiac in origin.”

He told the court the disruption of electrical activity in the heart - a cardiac arrest - leaves no physical trace that can be detected after someone has died. The court heard Mr Carr's family are seeking further examination due to concerns he may have had a genetic condition.

His loved ones are working with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in a bid to get the answers they need. His family has also set up a fund with CRY to help raise awareness around sudden cardiac death.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club has also set up an annual nine a side football match in his memory. The inaugural match was played on June 8 at AO Sports Ground in Bolton.

Assistant coroner Pemberton told his family: "It's clear to me Greg was a committed partner, a committed father, and a much loved son, and the tragic and unfathomable loss which you have suffered I am sure will remain with you throughout the rest of your lives.

"It's important you remember him as a man and take those good memories forward with you, which won't replace the loss but I hope will provide some reassurance of what you had. I do hope that you can now make some move forward. I hope it's provided some answers."

If you would like to speak to someone about sudden cardiac death you can contact CRY’s support team on 01737 363222 or email cry@c-r-y.org.uk.