Mural dedicated to victims of sudden cardiac death
- Published
A mural of two football fans who died tragically young has been unveiled as part of a new campaign by the British Heart Foundation
The artwork, which is on a wall opposite Southampton's St Mary's stadium, features Claire Reed and Danny Singh Rathor who both died suddenly from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).
The mural is one of a dozen portraits highlighting the 12 people under the age of 35 who die every week due to sudden cardiac death in the UK.
Danny's brother Bhadur said he had been left consumed with anger after his death.
Danny had been playing football with his work colleagues and upon leaving drove for "about 30 seconds" before pulling into a deserted industrial area, Bhadur said.
"As he opened his door he just fell out of the car."
Danny was pronounced dead at the scene and a coroner told Bhadur it was likely he had passed out before he hit the ground.
"It was about as sudden a death as anyone can get," he said, describing how his brother had always seemed healthy.
He added that he felt his family were never given a conclusive answer about why Danny suffered a cardiac arrest.
It was a similarly sudden death for Mrs Reed - also featured on the mural - who died aged 22 in March 2013, just five months after getting married.
Originally from Botley, she was at a spa in Taunton when she felt unwell after getting into a jacuzzi.
She collapsed, suffering a cardiac arrest and died despite her friends' efforts to carry out CPR.
Graham Hunter, her father, said she had not shown previous signs of ill health.
"Claire had no fainting, fits, she had never had a racing heart but this time it caught up with her. It just raced away," he said.
Since her death, Mr Hunter and his son have been diagnosed with an inherited heart condition called Brugada Syndrome. Doctors believe Ms Reed may have had the condition too.
"You don't expect your children to die before you," said Mr Hunter.
"Not when they're fit and healthy and look after themselves."
But her condition, he said, had been "there in silence".
New research from the British Heart Foundation revealed the nation is largely unaware of the of the effect of heart disease on young people.
Chief executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said too many lives were being taken by sudden cardiac death.
"No one should have to experience the loss of their child, sibling or parent," she said.
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