An inquest has heard that a 21-year-old man from Radnorshire died after suffering cardiac arrest despite the best efforts of his family and paramedics.

Tom James Hooper, from Cascob, near Knighton and Presteigne, was found unresponsive by his father on Saturday, April 20. 

An inquest into the young man's death was opened at Pontypridd Coroner's Court on Monday, April 29, which heard that the cause of his death is pending while further investigations are carried out.


What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Reporting on inquests is one of the most difficult jobs faced by any journalist, but there are important reasons why local newspapers attend coroner’s court hearings and report on proceedings.

Here we will try and answer some of your questions about what will happen, what can be reported and why.


The hearing was told that Dyfed-Powys Police was notified by the ambulance service at 3.41pm on April 20 that Mr Hooper's heart had suddenly stopped

"Despite best attempts by family and medical personnel he was declared life extinct at 4.22pm hours," the opening of the inquest was told.

Pathologist Dr Barlow did not give a provisional cause of death following a post mortem examination at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Wednesday, April 24.

Helplines

If you would like any help with bereavement, loss or mental wellbeing, here are some helpline numbers:

  • Samaritans on 116 123
  • Papyrus Hopeline on 0800 068 4141
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58