A 19-year-old has collapsed and died on holiday after losing his life to an undiagnosed heart condition. Daniel Smyth was unaware he had a condition but collapsed on a family beach holiday in Bulgaria last week.
A post-mortem examination has now found the student had cardiac arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat. Daniel's cousin Ellen Devenney-Adams told the Mirror: "He had a heart condition, which he did not know about. It was a ticking time bomb basically because it was inevitable, it just happened to occur when he was on holiday."
Daniel had gone to bed early on Saturday night feeling ill and woke in the early hours. He went into the bathroom, but collapsed, smashing into and breaking part of the toilet, shower door and sink.
This flooded the bathroom and caused a leak in the hotel, which alerted staff.
Daniel Smyth
He'd had a drink on Saturday evening but the post-mortem confirmed alcohol played no part in his death.
Ellen, 26, said: "We got a phone call with news about the post-mortem. Doctors found he had this irregular heartbeat, called cardiac arrhythmia.
"He was a fit and healthy 19-year-old boy otherwise. It was just one of those things. His family are heartbroken and gutted. No one saw this coming at all.
"I can't imagine what they (immediate family) are feeling because Daniel was so close to everyone."
Ellen Devenney-Adams paid tribute to her cousin Daniel (Image: Family supplied)
The teenager had just been accepted to study at Norwich University of the Arts, having completed a course in Interactive, Creative Media at college.
Graphic design, in particular, was his passion from a young age.
"He loved graphic design, as he was a talented artist," Ellen said.
Daniel with mum Jema (Image: Family supplied)
Thousands of pounds have been raised to help bring Daniel's body home. The teenager, who was also a sales assistant at an off-licence, was part of a large family.
He leaves behind a younger sister and younger brother Dylan. Ellen said: "Dylan was only 15 months younger so there was a big bond there. He was close to all of us though really.
"He didn't dislike anybody. He was just a very loving, bubbly and open boy. He had a special bond with every single member of the family in a different way.
"This is just going to change the family dynamic forever."
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