A SCHOOLGIRL who collapsed at a cross country race might have survived if there had not been a delay in getting her to hospital, a coroner ruled.

Shannon Powell, 14, of Northolt Village, was competing at Trent Country Park,Barnet, on January 8 when she suddenly collapsed. 

First aiders called an ambulance immediately but a chaotic rescue attempt meant that paramedics did not reach her for more than 30 minutes.

The court heard last Friday (9) how they could not find the correct gates at the park only to discover it was locked. Organisers wrongly believed the ambulance service would have a key.

When paramedics finally reached her, the young athlete stopped breathing while she was carried across the field on a stretcher. They desperately tried to revive her on the way to hospital where she later died.

A post-mortem examination found Shannon had a rare heart disorder called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Recordinga narrative verdict, coroner Andrew Walker said neglect contributed to her death, saying if it was not for this 'significant delay' care could have been given to Shannon which might have saved her.

"Although the provision of first aid for the event had been considered, little or no thought had been given to what should happen if an ambulance needed to be called," he said.

"There was a mistaken belief that all London Ambulance Service vehicles had keys they could use to unlock the gates."

A statement from Shannon's father Wayne said the family found it 'hard to understand' why there had been such a delay and were devastated by her loss.

A London Ambulance spokeswoman said crews arrived within nine minutes of receiving the 999 call but could not enter the park and were forced to carry equipment to Shannon.

The spokeswoman added: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Shannon's family for their tragic loss.

"Sadly,on the way to the ambulance, Shannon stopped breathing. Our staff made extensive efforts to resuscitate Shannon at the scene and on the way to hospital.

"We will now carefully consider the comments and any recommendations made by the coroner."

Shannon was a member of Ealing, Southall and Middlesex Athletics Club and Harrow Swimming Club.

School friends from Northwood College have raised s3,000 in her memory to go to CRY, a charity which raises awareness of cardiac risk in the young.