Teenage footballer Jamie Skinner collapses and dies on the pitch

Jamie Skinner, 13, died in front of his father and brother after collapsing during and Under-14s match in Edinburgh.

He was attempting to head the ball while playing for Tynecastle FC against Spartans FC when he collapsed on the Saughton Astro pitch in the city.

His death came just hours after 18-year-old David Paul, who was on the verge of breaking into Hibernian FC's first team, died suddenly in his sleep at his family home in Edinburgh.

Police Scotland said that initial inquiries suggested there were 'no suspicious circumstances'.

Tributes have flooded in for the talented boys from their clubs and friends, and professional football players.

Eyewitnesses said Jamie had appeared to be fit and healthy - but then fell unconscious to the ground and ‘never woke up.’

There was speculation last night that Jamie - described as a ‘wonderful human being’ by teachers at his school - may have died from heart failure, but this was not confirmed by police or club bosses.

The club said his death followed an ‘innocuous event’, as he jumped to head the ball, and that his family were ‘devastated’ and had been ‘ripped apart’ by Jamie’s sudden death.

A statement released by the club, which is not officially linked with Hearts FC, said Jamie had been ‘playing the game he loved’ and ‘lost his life on the pitch.’


Credit: DailyMail