PICTURED: Boy, 12, who died suddenly at school of suspected heart attack and whose last words to his family were ‘I love you’

• Ryan Heffernan, 12, died at Monday lunchtime at Shoeburyness High School 
• The youngster collapsed after playing with friends during the lunch break
• Police said Ryan’s death is ‘unexplained’ but ruled out third-party involvement  

A 12-year-old boy who tragically died while playing with his friends at school in Essex told his family ‘I love you’ as he left his home for the final time. 

Ryan Heffernan, 12, collapsed on Monday at Shoeburyness High School and died a short time afterwards. 

Emergency services, including an air ambulance were deployed to the scene, but sadly Ryan was declared dead a short time later. 

Ryan Heffernan, pictured, died after he collapsed at Shoeburyness High School, Southend-on–Sea on Monday 

Floral tributes have been left outside the school in Southend-on-Sea for the Year 7 pupil

Fellow pupils at the school are being supported by specialist counsellors following Monday’s tragic events. 

Floral tributes have been laid underneath the entrance sign of the school, where Ryan had been a pupil since September. 

A GoFundMe appeal for the youngster’s family to assist in the cost of his funeral has so far raised more than £14,000. 

Friends and fellow pupils at Shoeburyness High School have left tributes for the departed scholar. 

One note reads: ‘Fly high’, while another says: ‘I didn’t know you but I hope you rest in peace’. Meanwhile, an online fundraising page has been set up by a friend on GoFundMe to raise money to help his parents Mike and Catherine with the cost of Ryan’s funeral.

So far, the appeal has raised more than £14,000.  

A statement on the page reads: ‘Ryan was a 12-year-old kind-hearted, happy, full of life young boy. Monday morning he left for school healthy and happy saying ‘I love you’ to his family (This was the last thing he said to them).

‘He was only in his first year of senior school, a year 7 student on his lunch break when he was sadly taken. No parent should have to endure this pain, I cannot begin to imagine how hard it must be to process.’

Essex Police has launched an investigation into his death, which is being described as ‘unexplained’ while ruling out any third-party involvement. 

District Commander Ian Hughes, of Essex Police, previously said: ‘I would like to offer my condolences to the boy’s family and we are doing everything we can to support them through this tragic and difficult time.. Our officers remain at the school at this time to continue our enquiries.

‘We will continue to investigate the circumstances into the boy’s death and will work with the school tomorrow. We are aware of comments on social media, and we want to reassure the local community and parents of pupils at the school, no knife was involved during this tragic incident.’

Southend City Council also say they are supporting the school and the family. A spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts are very much with the family and whole school community at this difficult time.’

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