A TEENAGER who was due to join the army died from heart failure while out on a run, an inquest heard.

Oliver McIvor, of Padiham Road, Sabden, had left home to go out running some time after 3pm on Saturday, January 7 last year.

The keen runner and army hopeful was found dead in Back Lane, Sabden, at around 4pm that day by passers-by.

Oliver had been due to join the army’s Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

The inquest at Preston Coroner's Court  heard how it was likely that Oliver had died of an undiagnosed heart condition.

A standard medical examination, including a heart check had been carried out, on Oliver in the months before he was due to join the army, which found no underlying illnesses.

More than a dozen of Oliver's family members attended the inquest.

One relative said: “The Thursday before, myself and Oliver went up Pendle Hill.

“He had a ruck sack and he ran up with it on.

“There was nothing wrong with him then, so why did this happen?”

Home office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb, who carried out a post-mortem examination, said fluid had been discovered in Oliver's lungs, indicative of heart failure.

Mr Lumb said it was likely that Oliver had an undiagnosed ‘electrical abnormality’ of the heart.

He said: “An internal examination showed his lungs contained excess fluid on the surface.

“Normally there would be no fluid, but there was quite a lot in this case.

“There was around 400ml on Oliver’s left lung and 300ml on his right one.

“This build up of fluid can suggest a problem with the heart and heart failure.

“I would suggest that the medical cause of death was acute cardiac insufficiency of an unknown natural cause.

'He was a young man with so much potential' - mourners pay respects to ‘inspirational’ teenager Oliver McIvor

'You were loved by so many' - emotional tributes as teen Oliver McIvor collapses and dies in road

“After consulting with other experts, it is likely that Oliver had an electrical abnormality of the heart, which during exercise can cause sudden collapse, as it puts the heart under more stress.”

Recording a conclusion that Oliver died of natural causes, coroner Richard Taylor said: “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to you as what happened must be with you every day."