'Natural Causes' recorded after inquest into teen who died during school trip
Xander Furlong was today described as a 'kind, gentle soul'
An inquest has heard Plymouth's Xander Furlong - who was found dead on a school trip in Costa Rica whilst helping with sea turtle conservation - died from natural causes.
The pupil from Duchy College, near Stoke Climsland, were staying at the Cabinas Las Palmas, Paraiso, Macacona when he was found unresponsive in his room on July 19, 2024.
The 18 year old, who suffered from narcolepsy, was described during the inquest by his mum Michelle as a 'kind, gentle soul' who was 'single minded' about his future plans - explaining he had been offered a place at the University of the West of England where he planned to study conservation.
The inquest heard that in the days before his death Xander had complained of feeling unwell and £200 of money was transferred by his mum to help him fund a hospital appointment.
Xander's ongoing treatment and support was 'under review until he was 18', the inquest was told, and a plan was in place to continue supporting him after he turned 18.
Xander first presented with narcolepsy in 2011, two or three months after he had received a swine flu vaccine. The inquest heard Xander could suffer with tiredness during the day and difficulty sleeping at night - as well as the related cataplexy.
The inquest was told his detailed medical history and about efforts to reduce blood pressure ahead of the school trip but he was described as 'well, with no symptoms of concern' ahead of departing - with a future monitoring plan in place.
Evidence supplied from Doctor Emma Kirk, consultant pediatrician at the child development centre in Derriford, who worked closely with Xander told the inquest she was 'shocked' to hear the news and described him as a 'lovely young person'.
The inquest was told teams on the ground did all they could after Xander was discovered and his cause of death was recorded as being of 'natural causes' by an expert in Costa Rica.
A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office also confirmed the case was recorded as 'natural' with no evidence of exposure to drugs or alcohol in his system - offering their condolences to Xander's family.