A St Helens dad died unexpectedly after running for a bus. John Fenney, 53, from St Helens, was taken to Warrington Hospital on Wednesday, June 10 after witnesses saw him collapse on Sturgess Street in Newton-le-Willows.
John was pronounced dead the same day. The news has devastated his family. His son Mckenzie Fenney, 18, found out what had happened from his mum Sharon. He told the ECHO: “I got a phone call off my mum, saying he’d collapsed in Newton-le-Willows.
"I rushed to the hospital, but he died before he got there. I got told he was running for a bus."
Family's shock at sudden loss
The news has been devastating for the family. Mckenzie said: "It was a random death. It wasn’t expected. It was a shock. The fact that it was so sudden has been really hard for my siblings. My brother has just left university."
Mckenzie praised his dad for the kindness he showed throughout his life. He said: ”I had lots of happy memories growing up. He liked going camping. He went with me and my friends.
"He was in the army when he was 17 in the infantry. I’ve got older siblings - there’s Reece, Amy and me. When I was a little kid, Sherdley Park had Bonfire Night and he used to take us there.
"I'd like him to be remembered as a good man who did what he could, even though he couldn't give us everything. When I first moved in on my own, he came and stayed with me for a couple of weeks so I wasn't on my own.
"He would do anything for my mum as well. If she wanted anything done and couldn't go out, he would always go out, in the rain or whatever, just to do what she wanted him to do. He never said no."
Health concerns highlighted
John’s cause of death has not been confirmed, but Mckenzie has been told by a doctor that his dad had a number of underlying health conditions.
This includes bronchitis, an inflammation of the airways into the lungs and cardiovascular disease. Both of these carry the risk of heart attacks.
Mckenzie feels his dad's death shows the importance of getting any health concerns you have checked out by doctors. He said: “The doctor said he had chronic heart failure but we didn’t know because he didn’t like going to the doctors and I wasn’t living with him.
"He was the type of person who wouldn't let things get in his way.
"A few of my friends have went and got themselves checked out since he died over other health issues they have. They didn't realise how serious these things can be."
Funeral and inquest
John’s funeral took place earlier this month with Mckenzie saying “it was a good celebration".
An inquest into John's death was formally opened by Cheshire coroner Victoria Davies on Wednesday, August 6. This was adjourned to take place on November 12, with a case review set to take place on September 28.
