A 14-year-old boy who was found dead may not have intended to end his own life, an inquest heard.
Alfie Watson "struggled with his mental health" but his devastated mother Sophia Truesdale told a hearing Alfie would never hurt himself "in a million years" .
Alfie's inquest yesterday at Blackburn Old Town Hall was told the teenager, a keen footballer, was looking forward to going on holiday and had been making plans with his dad, Andrew Watson.
So, after the coroner heard Alfie was found lifeless and died of brain injuries two days later in hospital, he declined to make a conclusion of suicide.
"Alfie James Watson died on February 27, 2023 at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital having suspended himself on February 25. His intentions at the time cannot be determined," Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said.
LancsLive reports Alfie had discussed being angry and upset on the same day he was found lifeless, but the reason for these feelings were unknown.
Sophia, of Darwen, Lancashire, told the court she did not believe her son had intended to end his life.
He was dashed to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on February 25 and died there on February 27.
A police investigation found no evidence of suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement.
A statement from a consultant paediatrician who treated Alfie explained he had suffered a cardiac arrest and although he was resuscitated, his brain injuries were too significant.
In a tribute paid in the days after his death, Alfie, who played for Mill Hill Juniors FC, was remembered as having an "infectious smile".
In a tribute posted on Facebook, the club said: "Sadly Alfie died this week and we are all very devastated at the sudden and sobering news of his passing. We cannot try to think what his family are going through at this very upsetting time. As a club we will try to support them in giving Alfie the respect he deserves when all of our teams come together this weekend in a minute's silence.
"Alfie started his football journey as five-year-old with Little Lions before starting his grassroots journey with us at U7s through to U14s. He had an infectious smile and a wicked right foot, amongst many more key attributes to being our champion."
Alfie's family has created a fundraising page with money to be donated to the hospital.
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