Boy dies after collapsing at Newport school

A 15-year-old boy has died after collapsing on a school playing field in Shropshire.

Teachers at The Burton Borough School in Newport tried to resuscitate Lewis Smith on Tuesday morning, but he was pronounced dead at hospital.

The boy had just done a normal PE lesson, Telford & Wrekin Council said.

Pupils were told through a series of assemblies. The school described Lewis as a "wonderful young man" who was "massively keen on the army".

Head teacher Dave Hill said the boy was "a really lovely student", very mature for his age and very confident.

Mr Hill said Lewis, who had just switched from learning the trumpet to the electric guitar, was "very positive to all the staff and students".

The head added: "[He] was the main link between the school and the army cadets.

"On Sunday, he was selling poppies in Newport and took part in the town's Remembrance Day parade.

"I am absolutely certain that he would have had a fantastic career in the army and he was already showing leadership and management skills.

"Lewis will be very much missed by everyone in the school as he left an indelible mark on everyone he met and spoke to and enjoyed life to the full."

'Thoughts and prayers'

The ambulance service was called to the specialist arts college in Audley Avenue at about 0930 GMT on Tuesday.

It said the boy was taken to Princess Royal Hospital and he was in a critical condition.

He was pronounced dead at 1115 GMT, the council said.

The authority added the boy's family had been informed and its "thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time".

An ambulance service spokeswoman said: "Despite the efforts of everyone nothing could be done to save him."