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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Florence Freeman

Teenager dies after suffering cardiac arrest just minutes into school exam

A teenager has died after suffering a cardiac arrest while taking a school exam.

Nadir Bekaddour, 19, collapsed just a few minutes into his economic exam at The Lychee Gaston Berger high school in Ronchin, near Lille, in France, last week.

The student was rushed to Lille University Hospital, but sadly passed away just a few hours later.

Nadir and his family had moved to Ronchin from Oran, Algeria, in 2007, so he could receive treatment for a serious heart condition.

After a brush with death in 2012, he was fitted with a pacemaker.

Another pupil who was taking the same exam claimed that Nadir had "shouted several times that help was needed, that he had a pacemaker".

The Gaston Berger high school where Nadir Bekaddour died (Newsflash)

He told local media: "But they forbid us from moving even though students wanted to volunteer to help him.

"We were told not to get up because we were taking the baccalaureate. Even though he was all blue, with his eyes wide open. We couldn't feel his pulse anymore."

France's Ministry of National Education has now launched an investigation into the accusations of non-responsiveness against the eight adults present at the time.

The college administration has maintained that the staff did indeed act correctly.

Nadir and his family had moved to Ronchin from Oran, Algeria, in 2007 (Newsflash)

Firefighters reportedly took 20 minutes to arrive on the scene after Nadir collapsed.

Grieving dad Tidjani Bekaddour-Benatia told local media: "He loved sports, especially football, so much.

"He told me that if he didn't have a heart problem, he would have become the best player!

"He studied all morning until 2pm. Just before leaving, he told me, 'Dad, the exams are a bit tough, but I will pass this baccalaureate.'

"He always wanted to make me happy."

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