THE death of a paedophile teacher who died suddenly in prison has been investigated.

Iain McDowall was serving a ten-year sentence at HMP Haverigg when he collapsed while taking part in a 10km fun run last year.

An inquest heard later the 51-year-old died of sudden adult death syndrome.

The Prisons and Probation ombudsman has published a report on its independent investigation into his death.

It described how McDowall had previously appeared 'fit and well' before he collapsed during the run.

The report said he was quickly attended to by staff who performed CPR before paramedics arrived.

He died despite attempts to resuscitate him for around 20 minutes and paramedics administering three doses of adrenaline.

The watchdog commissioned a clinical review to look at the care McDowall received while in prison.

Summing up, the report said: "Mr McDowall had no known medical conditions and had appeared fit and well prior to his collapse.

"The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr McDowall received at Haverigg was of a good standard and was equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.

"She found that the emergency response was delivered very well. She made no recommendations.

"We found no non-clinical issues of concern and make no recommendations."

An inquest at Cockermouth Coroner's Court heard previously that McDowell, a keen runner, had been one of 24 prisoners taking part in a 10km Easter Bank Holiday fun run within the prison grounds.

He was on the ninth of 11 laps when he stopped suddenly, held his chest and fell to the ground.

A fellow prisoner, also in the race and with first aid experience from his time in the Army, ran to assist. He checked his airways were clear before the health care team arrived soon after.

McDowall was sentenced in July 2019 after he was convicted of abusing two girls in Birmingham while working at a school.

He had been at Haverigg for only four weeks when he died on April 10.

The inquest heard McDowall's wife had visited the prison following her husband's death and described staff as 'compassionate, understanding and caring'.