THE family of a boy who died suddenly at school say they are “learning to accept they may never have answers surrounding his passing.”

Ryan Heffernan-Surplice, 12, died after suffering a “medical emergency” at Shoebury High School on March 28.

An inquest was opened at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford on Friday which heard a post-mortem was unable to find a provisional cause of death.

His grieving mother Catherine Heffernan said: “We may never get answers to why and it’s hard to accept. I think we’ve got to learn to accept there probably will be no answers.

“It makes me concerned for my two daughters even more, and some days it’s hard to accept we may never know. I am trying to allow myself to accept it and I think the acceptance will help bring us some closure.

“I was hoping for more answers and it’s hard. It’s heightened my concern and senses for the girls and I am trying to let them go out with friends and out and about but I want them with me.

“We’ve also had various heart checks on them too. We have been talking about how quiet the house is and we are trying to find some normality without the buzz of him being around.”

She said the family miss Ryan playing jokes and messing around.

The mum-of-three said they will always miss him.

The inquest heard how Ryan collapsed at school during the lunch break.

Helen Bending, coroner’s officer said: “This inquest touches upon the death of Ryan Heffernan-Surplice who lived in Shoebury and died on March 28 at Southend Hospital.

“He lived with his parents and had ADHD and he took medication for it. On March 28, during the lunch break at school, he collapsed and was found unresponsive.

“CPR was carried out and the ambulance service and air ambulance attended. Death was confirmed at 4.10pm and a post-mortem examination was carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital and a provisional cause of death was given of unascertained.”

Area coroner Sonia Hayes said: “I am satisfied this death took place in the area covered by this coroners court and that it requires an inquest. I officially open the inquest and adjourn it to a date to be confirmed.”