University of Bolton
University of Bolton student's sudden death
A YOUNG father-of-two collapsed suddenly and died at a university hall of residence.
Former soldier Roger Manthorpe, aged 31, was at the University of Bolton's Hollins Hall when he died, an inquest was told yesterday.
Bolton Coroner's Court heard that a heart problem had probably caused his death.
Mr Manthorpe had started his degree in media writing and production in Bolton last September.
He had served with the Royal Engineers for five years after leaving school.
He later joined the Territorial Army and became a lance corporal, seeing action in the Balkans in 1999 and during a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.
Mr Manthorpe, who came from Hull, had moved away from his wife, Lisa, and children, Sean and Ella, to study in Bolton.
The inquest heard that he had been smoking cannabis with friends in a flat at the halls of residence on November 14 last year.
Fellow student Neil Lewis said: "He became pale and went to the window for some air. About 15 to 20 minutes later, we noticed he had gone."
His friends later found him collapsed in a locked toilet, which they managed to open.
They dialled 999 and tried to perform heart massage until an ambulance arrived.
Paramedics took Mr Manthorpe to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead shortly after midnight on November 15.
Mrs Manthorpe told the hearing her husband had been well in the weeks before his death, apart from suffering from a bad back.
Pathologist Dr David Bissett said he was unable to establish a cause of death.
He confirmed cannabis had been found in Mr Manthorpe's blood, but said the most likely cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia - abnormal electrical activity affecting the heart.
Det Sgt David Berry said he was satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances involved.
Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, deputy coroner Alan Walsh said: "It is a tragedy for a man to die so young, particularly a man who gave such great service to his country.
"He was going to be successful in his studies. On the day before he died, he had achieved the highest results in one of his projects."
Dr Peter Marsh, deputy vice-chancellor at the university, said: "Our sympathies have been sent to Roger's family. He is much missed by his fellow students.
"This is a sad time for the university and our thoughts are with Roger's family and friends."
8:20am Wednesday 7th May 2008
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