Schoolboy's canoe death unexplained

A pathologist has been unable to find a cause of death for a promising teenage footballer who died after a canoe trip, police said today.

Stewart McEwan was airlifted to Hereford hospital after being rescued from the River Usk in Brecon, Mid Wales, where he was later pronounced dead.

The 13-year-old from the Reading area had been on a week-long organised trip in the area when the tragedy happened at around 3pm on Saturday.

He had just been signed by Reading Football club.

Following a post-mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist, a spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: "The cause of death is unascertained at this stage, there is nothing positive to suggest drowning, and therefore the death is being treated as unexplained."

An inquest will be opened and adjourned into Stewart's death tomorrow by the Powys coroner Peter Maddox.

As part of the inquiry, specially trained child witness interview officers from Dyfed-Powys Police are travelling to Stewart's school to speak with the children who were with him on the river.

Dr Peter Thomas, head of Maiden Erlegh School, said: "The deputy head teacher, Mary Davies, will be supporting children and parents when they speak with the police.

"Specialist staff from the education department will also be present to speak with each child if needed."

Reading football club will pay tribute to the memory of Stewart with a minute's applause before their game against Southampton on Saturday.

The team will also wear black arm bands as a mark of respect for the academy goalkeeper.