A teenager was "critical" after collapsing while competing in a golf tournament.

The 15-year-old was taken to Colchester Hospital by air ambulance. He is understood to have "died" and his parents were told of his death.

But an air ambulance spokesman said: "For some unknown reason his heart started to beat and he started breathing again."

The boy was today (Thursday) fighting for his life in intensive care.

The teenager collapsed just before lunchtime yesterday at the 16th tee of the Five Lakes hotel, golf and country club, Tolleshunt Knights.

Bystanders gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and he was taken to the hotel where he was given resuscitation by First aiders.

First reports to Essex Air Ambulance said the teenager had collapsed and appeared to be unconscious.

The air ambulance spokesman said: "He died on the golf course and was given resuscitation. The helicopter flew in and he was revived but later he died."

The teenager was flown to Colchester General Hospital where casualty department teams, led by consultant Nigel Brayley, fought to revive him, apparently without success.

It was then that his heart began beating again.

The teenager, from Loughton, was competing in the Five Lakes Junior Open Championships. The tournament was suspended.

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