A devastated family's wait for answers continues following the death of a beloved dad. Solicitor Gregory Carr, known as Greg, went to bed feeling unwell before waking up in the early hours. The 33-year-old, from Atherton in Wigan, became unresponsive, before his fiancée desperately attempted CPR having dialled 999. Mr Carr was tended to by paramedics, but sadly died in hospital on May 8 this year.
An inquest into his death was held at Bolton Coroners' Court on Wednesday (November 6). A coroner concluded it was a case of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), with no explanation as to how or why Mr Carr went into cardiac arrest.
The Inquest: Unanswered Questions
The court heard Mr Carr was active, didn't drink to excess, didn't smoke, played football and went to the gym. He was working towards a promotion at his law firm and spent time with his family, fiancée Rachael Cartwright told the court. Sundays were always set aside for their young son, she added.
The court heard Mr Carr complained of chest pains in the months leading up to his death. He put it down to the stress of being a solicitor. Assistant coroner Michael Pemberton was told Mr Carr went to bed on May 7 feeling unwell.
He woke up distressed at around 6am. Ms Cartwright told the court: "It was around 6am. I originally thought he was having a panic attack or a nightmare. I was trying to calm him down for a couple of seconds and then I realised there was more to it.
"I told him I was going to ring an ambulance. He didn't respond to that and that's when I realised it was serious." Paramedics arrived around 13 minutes later. Paramedics took over CPR before Mr Carr was rushed to Royal Bolton Hospital.
Despite medics' efforts, he died at 7.26am. Consultant pathologist Dr Patrick Waugh said there were no signs of heart abnormalities and that Mr Carr appeared fit and healthy.
Professor Mary Sheppard, a leading national authority on sudden cardiac death, was consulted, he added. Mr Carr had a 'structurally normal heart' the court heard. "This is definitely a death that is cardiac in origin," Dr Waugh added.
He told the court the disruption of electrical activity in the heart - a cardiac arrest - leaves no physical trace that can be detected after someone has died. The court heard Mr Carr's family are seeking further examination due to concerns he may have had a genetic condition.
Seeking Answers and Raising Awareness
His loved ones are working with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in a bid to get the answers they need. His family has also set up a fund with CRY to help raise awareness around sudden cardiac death.
Bolton Lads and Girls Club has also set up an annual nine a side football match in his memory. The inaugural match was played on June 8 at AO Sports Ground in Bolton.
Paying tribute to Greg at the conclusion of the inquest, assistant coroner Pemberton told his family: "It's clear to me that Greg was a committed partner, a committed father, and a much loved son, and the tragic and unfathomable loss which you have suffered I am sure will remain with you throughout the rest of your lives.
"But it's important that you remember him as a man and take those good memories forward with you, which won't replace the loss but I hope will provide some reassurance of what you had. I do hope that you can now make some move forward. I hope it's provided some answers."
A Devastating Loss
Greg Carr's untimely death is a tragic reminder of the unpredictable nature of sudden cardiac death. The family's search for answers underscores the importance of raising awareness about SADS and the need for further research into its causes and potential preventative measures. Greg's legacy will undoubtedly be felt through the efforts of his loved ones in supporting CRY and in ensuring his memory lives on.
