A HEARTBROKEN father today spoke of the moment he collapsed from an angina attack at the shock of being told his 19-year-old daughter had died.

David Leigh, of Rothesay Road, Shadsworth, was at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park when a steward pulled him out of the crowd to tell him the tragic news about Gemma.

He fell to the ground and was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Wife Lynne was already at the hospital after travelling with Gemma and soon had another shock.

As she stared out of the window of the relatives' room, she spotted David's size 10 boots in the back of an ambulance, which had just arrived.

She said: "It's funny how you recognise things. I went running outside and they brought him in. The same doctor who treated Gemma, treated him.

"I couldn't tell you what I said. It was unrepeatable. I couldn't believe it."

David's devastated family, including Gemma's 15 year-old brother Adam, feared a second tragedy was about to unfold.

However, David is now recovering at home and today spoke of the pain at his daughter's mystery death. The family have no idea what killed the teenager and hope an inquest, which will be held in the next couple of months, can provide some answers.

David said Rovers fanatic Gemma said she felt ill on May 3 and went to bed instead of attending Blackburn's final home game of the season against West Bromwich Albion.

Mum Lynne took her some toast shortly after midday but when she returned an hour later Gemma's lips were blue.

Lynne gave her mouth-to-resuscitation and alerted paramedics but Gemma tragically died.

The teenager was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Gemma's grandad was sent to tell David, already in his seat at Ewood Park's Blackburn End for the West Brom game.

David, who is registered disabled and suffers from arthritis, angina and diabetes, said: "A steward took me to the area near where the ambulance is on match days and I was told. I keeled over and banged my head on the steel door. Everything from then on is a blur."

David was allowed home from hospital the next day -- his 48th birthday -- and opened his present from Gemma, a compilation CD of 1970s music.

He said: "It is a complete mystery why she died. She had asthma as a child but that was under control. She had no health problems."

Gemma, went to Shadsworth Junior School, then obtained 11 GCSEs from Queen's Park High School and two A-levels from St Mary's College.

She wanted to be a teacher until her last year at college. During the past 12 months, she was working towards a Prince's Trust confidence-building award.

David said: "She was a bright, popular, happy girl, full of life and just starting to enjoy herself. She loved her clothes, music and football."

David, Lynne, and Adam have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have been in touch since Gemma's death. They have received 73 sympathy cards.

They would also like to thank the paramedics at Blackburn Rovers and the staff at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Gemma's funeral is due to take place tomorrow at 10.30am in Pleasington Chapel. The cortege will pass Ewood Park on the way and Gemma will be buried in her favourite jeans and a Blackburn Rovers shirt.