Heartbroken dad pays tribute to 14-year-old who collapsed and later died after complaining of chest pain
The devastated dad of a teenage boy who died unexpectedly at the age of 14 tonight paid tribute to a “brilliant big brother’. Robert Green fell ill in his parents bedroom at the family home in Bidston, Wirral, and was pronounced dead later in hospital.
Speaking ahead of the funeral later this month dad Robbie, a 51 year-old bus driver, said: “He was a really kind, friendly boy. He had a lot of friends. If someone hurt themselves he’d be there to help them straight away. He was just that kind of kid. He was a brilliant big brother to his little sister Bree’ann. He wasn’t so much into sport but I would take him to Liverpool matches when he was little but stopped as he also had autism which meant he didn’t like crowds.
“He was into his gaming, he had his PC, laptop and PS5 so he was quite happy with all that rather than out playing football.”
Robert, who attended Impact Northwest, is believed to have died from bilateral pneumothorax although the cause of the condition is yet to be established. Bilateral pneumothorax is when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall on both sides, and is a rare but serious condition.
His funeral takes place at 10am on August 22 at Landican Cemetery on Arrowe Park Road. The wake will then be held at Beechwood Social Club with the community invited to remember the 14-year-old and asked to wear some purple. A social media appeal has also been made for bikers in Wirral and surrounding areas to give Robert an escort from their family home on Ballantyne Drive to the cemetery.
Robbie revealed his son was out kayaking with his friend and his family on Saturday, July 12, before complaining of chest pain and being short of breath when he got home. He went to New Brighton with his friend the following day before returning home when the beach became crowded due to the heatwave.
The family said following two days in school, he began complaining of chest pains and breathing difficulties again on the night of Tuesday, July 15, when his mum, Ruth, took him to Arrowe Park Hospital Accident and Emergency department.
They said five hours after being discharged, on Wednesday, July 16, Robert went into his parents’ bedroom where he was struggling to breathe and pacing up and down. Robbie said he told him to sit down before the teen’s “eyes rolled to the back of his head” and he collapsed. The distraught dad performed CPR before paramedics arrived and rushed him to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Family friend Alan Norris has also launched a campaign to raise money towards the funeral. He wrote: “Hello everyone I’m Alan Norris (Chuck) a very close friend to Robbie and Ruth Green the parents of Robert Green who unfortunately passed away suddenly on Wednesday the 16th of July at the tender age of 14 .
“I know there’s nothing that can ease the pain of which all the family are going through but hopefully we can remove some of the difficulties and financial worries for the family and give there baby boy the send off that he deserves.
“Please lets all come together at this very difficult and sad time.”
The GoFundMe has raised close to £7,000 at the time of writing and is available to view here.
