A SOUTH Shields family is facing an agonising wait to find out what killed a healthy 27-year-old man.
Kevin Guthrie died in hospital just hours after complaining of a sore throat and a high temperature at his home in Biddick Hall, South Shields.
His carer initially feared it was swine flu, but an emergency doctor ruled that out and instead suspect
ed pharyngitis, and gave him some paracetamol to keep his temperature down.
Mr Guthrie, who was epileptic and had learning difficulties, later collapsed in his bedroom and couldn't get his breath.
His carer called an ambulance and he was rushed to South Tyneside District Hospital, where staff tried in vain to save him.
Mum Diane Brown, 45, of Westoe Road, South Shields, said: "They said his heart had stopped for 40 minutes. When we got to the hospital, they were still working on him.
"They worked on him for about two and a half hours while we were there. He died at 11.08pm, but they don't know the cause."
A range of tests are being carried out but the family have been told it could be at least six months before they find out what happened.
Mr Guthrie needed 24-hour care, but valued his independence.
He suffered a fit when he was six weeks old and stopped breathing for four minutes, which starved his brain of oxygen.
His mother, who has three other sons, Peter, 24, David, 20, and Daniel, 15, believes this is what caused his learning difficulties and also stunted his growth.
At 18, the former Oakleigh Gardens School pupil was just 4ft 4in, but growth hormone injections saw him rise to 6ft 7in.
Ms Brown said: "He went from a little boy to a man. We used to call him Peter Pan because he wasn't growing up."
Mr Guthrie spent a lot of time with his family and was particularly close to his nana Barbara.
"He was very loving," said Ms Brown. "He didn't see any bad in anybody. He loved life and his family."
Mr Guthrie also loved gadgets, like his laptop and digital camera, and holidays abroad.
"He loved his little bit of independence," said Ms Brown.
Mr Guthrie, who also leaves dad Peter, 45, died on November 1 and his funeral was held at South Shields Crematorium on November 11.
