A 19-year-old lad suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while taking a school exam in France.

Tragic Nadir Bekaddour collapsed a few minutes into the economics exam at Lycee Gaston Berger in the commune of Ronchin, near Lille, on 21st March.

He was taken to Lille University Hospital, where he passed away a few hours later.

Nadir and his family had moved to Ronchin from Oran, Algeria, in 2007 so he could receive treatment for a serious heart condition.

After a brush with death in 2012, he was fitted with a pacemaker.

Another pupil taking the exam told local media that Nadir “shouted several times that help was needed, that he had a pacemaker”.

He added: “But they forbid us from moving even though students wanted to volunteer to help him.

“We were told not to get up because we were taking the baccalaureate. Even though he was all blue, with his eyes wide open. We couldn’t feel his pulse anymore.”

France’s Ministry of National Education has launched an investigation into the accusations of non-responsiveness against the eight adults present at the time.

The college administration has said the staff acted correctly.

Firefighters reportedly took 20 minutes to arrive on the scene after Nadir collapsed.

Grieving dad Tidjani Bekaddour-Benatia told local media: “He loved sports, especially football, so much.

“He told me that if he didn’t have a heart problem, he would have become the best player!

“He studied all morning until 2pm. Just before leaving, he told me, ‘Dad, the exams are a bit tough, but I will pass this baccalaureate.’

“He always wanted to make me happy.”