A "MUCH-loved" and "talented" teenager who hanged himself in his bedroom did not intend to take his own life, Oxford Coroner's Court has ruled today.

Senior coroner for Oxfordshire Darren Salter said he believed the death of Wantage 15-year-old Dylan Edwards on Friday, October 23, was more likely a sad accident resulting from a "tentative" experiment.

This morning's inquest heard how Dylan, a pupil at King Alfred's Academy in Wantage, had battled with anxiety about exams and school work, and the month before his death had taken what he thought was an overdose of paracetamol on the first day of the school term.

Dylan's GP at Church Street Practice in Wantage, Rebecca Low, said in a statement the youngster had been predicted A* grades at his GCSEs and was doing well in school.

But she said when she first saw him on September 25 after his attempted overdose, he told her he had started harming himself after his school work became stressful.

Dylan was referred to the Oxfordshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and met with health worker Philip Nagle two times.

Mr Nagle told the inquest that when Dylan told him about the overdose attempt, "there was an element of wanting to see what happened if he did it rather than wanting to take his own life".

Mr Nagle arranged for Dylan to meet with a psychiatrist on October 30 to see whether medication for depression could be useful, but Dylan never made the appointment.

On Friday, October 23, Mrs Edwards discovered her son in his room just after 1pm.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford two hours later.

Coroner Darren Salter said in his conclusion he had not seen sufficient evidence to prove that Dylan had intended to take his own life, and for that reason he ruled out a conclusion of suicide.

Instead, he gave a "narrative conclusion", detailing the events of the day.

In a statement, Dylan's family described him as a "much-loved, wonderful young man, full of compassion, kindness and fun".

They said: "A talented musician, he was clever, thoughtful and funny with a promising future.

"We are enormously proud of the positive impact he has made and of his considerable achievements. His tragic loss has not only left a gaping hole in our lives but also in the wider community – our world is a lesser place without him."

They urged other families to learn to recognise the signs of depressions and know that help is available.

The family also asked that anyone affected by Dylan's death to consider making a donation to the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust or Young Minds, both of which provide mental health support.