Teenager died of heart problem from club night ‘moshing’

Sep 21 2007 by Matt Hurst, Liverpool Daily Post

A “FIT and healthy” teen-ager who collapsed and died after “moshing” at Birkenhead’s Stairways nightclub had suffered an exercise-induced heart problem, an inquest heard.

Jake Peay-McGurgan, 15, from Prenton, with no prior medical history, regularly attended under-age rock nights with friends.

On May 11, he and a friend went to the Mini-Moshers Dance Night, an event that caters for 12 to 17-year-olds, with no access to alcohol.

At Wallasey town hall yesterday, coroner’s officer Donald Johnson said: “A large, densely packed group of people were moshing, which means they come together with a rush when certain songs or notes are played.

“Should anyone fall, they are pulled to their feet by fellow dancers.

“At 10.40pm, Jake was dancing with around 30 others when he seemed to fall forward hitting his head as he fell.”

The manager of Stairways immediately rushed to help Jake, and attempted to bring him round using first aid, while an ambulance was called.

Paramedics made two unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate Jake, before he was transferred to Arrowe Park Hospital and later died. Stairways nightclub was closed and police initially treated the death as suspicious.

Mr Johnson said: “Various accounts surroun-ding the events of that evening range from him being pushed causing him to fall, to him tripping and falling over. The police are convinced no person or organisation can be held responsible for his death.”

The post-mortem on the Rock Ferry High student was carried out by Dr Brian Rodgers, who said there was “nothing to suggest an assault”.

Coroner Christopher Johnson returned a verdict of death by natural causes.