A teenager who collapsed minutes after a lightning strike died of sudden adult death syndrome caused by a heart problem, an inquest has been told. Joseph Wharton, from Bloxwich, near Walsall, was camping in the garden of his friend Michael Lees' house when the thunderstorm struck on 3 August.
Coroner Robin Balmain said that there was no evidence Joseph had been struck by lightning.
He added the only verdict he could record was death by natural causes.
Cardiac problem
Mr Balamin told the inquest: "This is a case that attracted a lot of publicity and the conclusion was jumped to at the beginning - perhaps not unnaturally - that this young boy had been struck by lightning.
"I am satisfied that that is not the case."
Earlier pathologist Christopher Allen said the exact cause of death was unknown but that the evidence, including two proven episodes in which the boy had fainted, pointed towards a cardiac problem.
Joseph had camped out at his friend Michael Lees's home many times before the day of his death.
The inquest heard how Joseph had collapsed shortly after returning from the house to the tent to zip it up.
Michael's father, Shaun, said: "He came back and got to the doorway and he clasped his chest and fell over."
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