Philip Lamin

Tributes have been paid to a “gifted and talented” teenager who collapsed and died while playing football.

Philip Lamin, a student at Bexleyheath Academy, fell and suffered what is believed to have been a cardiac arrest while taking part in a friendly game on the school grounds in Woolwich Road at around 4.30pm yesterday.

An ambulance was called and despite attempts to resuscitate the 16-year-old on the way to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, he was pronounced dead at 6pm.

Bexleyheath Academy principal Carl Wakefield wrote to parents and paid tribute to Philip as a “fine young man who was very popular” with fellow students and staff.

“He was an extremely gifted and talented sportsman and was blessed with a wonderful smile,” he said.

“Students and staff are understandably shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible news. All students have been informed in special assemblies this morning.

“Their behaviour and attitude displayed have been a credit to the academy, their families and, above all else, themselves.

“We are very grateful for the exceptional support offered by the London Borough of Bexley and for the tremendous amount of messages of condolence sent through to us at this very difficult time.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed they sent two ambulances to the scene.

He said: “We were called at 4.30pm to Bexleyheath Academy to reports of a patient taken unwell. Staff treated a boy in cardiac arrest.

“Extensive efforts were made to resuscitate him and on the way to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”