A BEREAVED Newport mum fears her husband and grandson could be killed by the same rare condition which claimed the life of her son.

Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the death of 19-year-old Gareth Witherington. His mum, Gail, could only watch in horror as paramedics battled to save the teenager's life after he was pulled from the swimming pool at Newport Leisure Centre.

Gareth, a former Bassaleg Comprehensive School pupil and care worker for the Charter Trust, died from a heart condition called Long Q-T Syndrome which stopped it from beating.

And she knows the same devastating defect could strike down her husband, Bob, 57 and grandson, Sam, five, at any time.

Speaking exclusively to the Argus yesterday, Mrs Witherington, of Hillside Crescent, Rogerstone, said: "It's an horrendous thing to live with. It could happen at any time as it is triggered by a sudden shock or excitement. "I'm still devastated about my son's death - it would be unbearable if it happened again."

To help combat the genetic condition both Bob and Sam are taking beta blockers which limit the effects of adrenalin and help keep them calm.

Her daughter, Emma, 26, and two other grandchildren, none of whom have been diagnosed with the condition, also take the drugs as a precaution.

To help other sufferers the 51-year-old has been campaigning for regular check-ups for everyone with an irregular heart.

She is also backing an initiative aimed at raising awareness among GPs about how heart conditions can kill young people.

"I campaigned through Parliament, the National Assembly and written to everybody and their uncle because sufferers are not being tested enough, especially youngsters.

"If I can stop this happening to anybody else then that would be fantastic," she said.

Mrs Witherington marked her son's death by lighting a candle and visiting his grave.

"I went swimming with Gareth and my daughter," she said. "He went to the deep end and as he was reaching for the end he slid under the water.

"People managed to pull him out and tried to resuscitate him and they battled for an hour to save his life at the Royal Gwent but it was like somebody just switched off a light.

"There was no sign of it happening - he was fit and healthy. "But I knew he was gone. It felt like somebody ripped my heart out - it still feels like that now."