A YOUNG Portishead father died suddenly and unexpectedly after suffering a cardiac arrest while asleep in bed.

Moving tributes have since been paid to Michael Hurst, who was aged just 31 when he died from sudden adult death syndrome.

An inquest into his death was held at Flax Bourton Coroner’s Court on August 3, when a statement from Michael’s wife Nicola was read describing him as a ‘healthy person who kept himself fit and well’.

Michael, who has run two Bristol Half Marathons, worked as an electrical engineer for Wessex Water and was also studying for a Higher National Certificate at the time of his death on March 3.

His family have since been told his lecturers had already decided to name him Student of the Year for his hard work and dedication.

The weekend before his death, Michael had taken his son Oliver, aged five, and daughter Matilda, aged two, swimming and bowling. On February 27, Michael had travelled to Weymouth for work, taken Oliver to the dentist and did some studying at his Bristol Road home before going to bed at 10pm.

At 1am on February 28, Nicola was woken by Michael’s arm hitting her as he suffered a cardiac arrest. He died at Bristol Royal Infirmary on March 3.

Michael was born in Coventry and attended Woodlands School, which has now named a cricket cup in his memory after he won batsman of the year several times.

He moved to North Somerset eight years ago to live with Nicola in Pill, where he worked as a postman for five years. They married in 2004 and moved to Portishead in 2007.

A statement from his family said: “Michael was highly regarded by everyone who met him; he always had time to help people, whether family, friends or colleagues.

“He even had a regular commitment helping an old lady do up her shoes every morning on his post round.

“Michael was a loving husband to Nicola and a wonderful father to Oliver and Matilda, who he adored so much.

“He was a real family man and is missed so very much every day. Life will not be the same without him.”

During last week’s court hearing, the cause of Michael’s death was confirmed as sudden adult death syndrome and a verdict of natural causes was given.

The full tribute to Michael from his family:

Michael was born in Coventry, where he lived with his parents Jackie and Mick and older brother, Scott.

He was a well-liked, caring child, who loved playing and watching all sports.

Michael was head boy at Woodlands School in Coventry, who have decided to name a cricket cup after him as he won batsman of the year several years running.

After dating Nicola for some years Michael moved to North Somerset eight years ago to live with Nicola in Pill. They married on December 18, 2004.

When Michael first moved to Pill, he worked as a Pill postman, while studying to be an electrician at the City of Bristol College.

He worked on the post for five years, getting to know a lot of people in the local community.

Nicola and Michael’s son Oliver was born in April 2006 and, in November 2007, they moved to Portishead, where their daughter, Matilda was born in September 2008.

Shortly after moving to Portishead, Michael got his dream job working as an electrical engineer for Wessex Water.

Michael moved his way through the company and for the last year worked as a project manager.

Since passing away, we have been informed that Wessex Water thought of him very highly and saw his future in management.

While at Wessex Water, Michael continued his studies in order to assist his career.

He was working towards an HNC in electronics.

Sadly, Michael did not know that his lecturers had already decided to award him Student of the Year for his hard work and dedication.

Michael was highly regarded by everyone who met him; he always had time to help people, whether family, friends or colleagues.

He even had a regular commitment helping an old lady do up her shoes every morning on his post round.

Michael was a loving husband to Nicola and a wonderful father to Oliver, aged five, and Matilda, aged two, who he adored so much.

He was a real family man and is missed so very much every day. Life will not be the same without him.

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