His heart just couldn?t take it

The family of Sam Priestley are satisfied his reputation remains intact after a coroner's inquest in Masterton yesterday found he died of heart failure not alcohol abuse during his 21st birthday celebrations last year.
His mother Lynn attended the hearing at Masterton District Court yesterday and was relieved that "at least the court finding keeps Sam's reputation clear".
"We knew about his heart. He wasn't on drugs or party pills and there was no alcohol abuse," she said.
"Sam had planned his 21st for six months and that day he had got great news about the house he was buying.
"It was a big day for him and his heart just couldn't take it."
Masterton coroner Jock Kershaw found Sam had died suddenly and unexpectedly of heart failure about 7.30pm on June 3 during his 21st birthday celebrations at the Homestead Tavern.
Sam, a Greater Wellington Regional Council biodiversity officer, had been celebrating his birthday several days before the actual event and had started the evening at his High Street family home about 5pm.
He had consumed, after several attempts, a yard glass of beer at home and the traditional quaff had been cheered on and encouraged by friends and family.
Sam vomited soon afterward, complaining to his mother "that his heart was really racing".
She advised him to lie down or go to the hospital, according to the police report into the incident.
While he rested his mother felt his chest and rapidly-beating heart.
He arose feeling better, showered, and joined other partygoers at the Homestead Tavern about 30 minutes later.
The police report said Sam told friends "he had blacked out about 10 times since doing his yard glass" and several people had offered to take him to hospital.
"He said he was all right and wanted to stay at the function," the court was told.
It was while Sam was smoking a cigarette while seated that his breathing was seen to race, before it diminished and appeared to stop.
An ambulance was called and arrived at the bar by 7.15pm, the court heard.
Sam was pronounced dead at Wairarapa Hospital 35 minutes later.
Sam was diagnosed very young with a heart murmur, "but was told that he would grow out of it", the court was told.
"This had no real effect on Sam's life as he grew up. He was very fit, played rugby and loved going pig hunting without any adverse effects other than every now and then he might say 'my heart's done a flutter' and then he would carry on."
Mr Kershaw said there had been "some news media speculation inferring" the death of Mr Priestley was caused by excessive drinking.
A toxicology report though confirmed that at the time of his death,Mr Priestley had a blood alcohol level considerably below the legal limit allowing him to drive.
More than 1500 mourners gathered at Masterton Town Hall last year to remember Sam and bid farewell to a young man who had touched many lives.
Sam is buried at Glendhu on the South Wairarapa coast, Mrs Priestley said, with his grave facing toward the rocks and breakers "that he loved" and out to the sea beyond.