Secondary school student George Harmsworth was in the playground enjoying his break on Friday afternoon with his friends when he suddenly suffered a severe asthma attack.

The 14-year-old boy from Birkirkara was immediately rushed to hospital but died soon after, despite the doctors’ attempts to resuscitate him.

Though the youngster often left class at St Theresa College, Birkirkara Secondary School to receive hospital treatment for his attacks, he always returned, Educational Services Directorate director general Micheline Sciberras said when contacted.

Police sources explained that the attack happened when the boy was speaking to a teacher during his break at around 12.30 p.m.

The health and safety teacher was immediately alerted, and after being given first aid, George was taken out of the playground while other members called his father and the emergency services.

The school authorities were aware that George suffered from severe asthma and he was recently hospitalised after a similar attack. In fact, he always carried his inhaler, police sources said.

Within 10 minutes he was rushed to hospital, Ms Sciberras said.

The school authorities are preparing a report and a magisterial inquiry is underway. The news also shocked his fellow scout members of the St Venera scout group who flooded Facebook with messages of condolences.

His former group scout leader, Mario Calleja, had nothing but words of praise for the young victim.

“He was a very keen scout and was always the first person to help out. If something needed to be done, he was always there to do it,” he said.

The scout group was aware of George’s severe asthma condition and, in fact, had prepared an extra first aid kit just for him.

There were times when George had an asthma attack while out with the scouts and even had to be taken to hospital. But his condition never held him back and he recently returned from a camping weekend with his fellow scouts.

“Even though he suffered from asthma, he wanted to take part in the band and learn how to play the bagpipes out of all instruments,” he said.

Describing George’s death as a “great shock”, Mr Calleja said he was going to be sorely missed. “He was loved by everyone – it was impossible not to love him as he was always there for everyone.”

As a farewell, members of the St Venera scout group will play the bagpipes at George’s funeral. It is estimated that asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide and is the most common children’s chronic illness. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness.

When someone suffers an asthma attack, the best thing to do is to administer their inhaler and immediately call for help, consultant respiratory expert Stephen Montefort explained.

Dr Montefort pointed out that asthma was a very serious condition that could kill if untreated. In Malta there are around four deaths a year from asthma attacks.

Asthma sufferers could have a sudden severe attack which could eventually lead to death. “However, luckily there are very few of these cases,” Dr Montefort said.

Otherwise, attacks might be caused by irritants or because they failed to take their medication, he explained.