A TALENTED drama student died suddenly the day before he was due to get his GCSE results.

John Harrison collapsed on Bognor seafront and never regained consciousness, despite desperate efforts by his best friend to save him.

The 16-year-old was unaware his hard work had earned him eight passes, including a B grade in his favourite subject, drama.

John, of Felpham Road, Bognor, was with Kane Evans, and five friends when he collapsed outside the Royal Norfolk Hotel last Wednesday.

Kane, 16, tried to resuscitate his pal who was taken to St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.

Kane, of Rose Green, Bognor, said: "We were just playing around and John collapsed. He just lost consciousness.

"He was a good mimic and would do impressions of people in the street.

"He was quick-witted and had a natural talent for making people laugh."

John's mother, Linda, is still too upset to talk about the tragedy.

Carla Edwards, John's head of year at Felpham Community College, said: "He was very popular and had an absolutely lovely smile.

"He was a sensitive boy with a quirky sense of humour."

Drama teacher Debbie Smith said: "His enthusiasm was outstanding. His exam performance was absolutely beautifully done. You could have charged people to see it. It was just wonderful."

Post mortem examinations have so far failed to find out why John died.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.