Teacher dies after suffering heart attack in classroom collapse
A geography teacher from the Black Country died after collapsing in front of a class at his school.
Ian Babington, who was raised in Kingswinford, was working at Roundhill Academy in Thursmaston, a Leicestershire village, when he suffered a heart attack.
The 45-year-old died 24 hours later at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester surrounded by his family.
Efforts were made at the school to save his life, with first-aiders using a defibrillator.
Mr Babington, who had been married to wife Mandy for 17 years, was raised by his parents in Court Crescent in Kingswinford.
He attended Glynne Primary School and did his A Levels at Summerhill School – before going to university in Brighton to study geography.
After returning to Dudley borough, he then went to University of Leicester to do a masters in English local history, and then stayed in the county.
On collapsing at the school on April 20, his father Michael, aged 71, mother Maureen, 72, sister Samantha, 39, were notified by the school.
Mr Babington said: "We thought he was going to be ok when we got the call – but it turned out he was in a more serious condition.
"There was a battle to save his life, but he sadly died. We were devastated when he died."
He added: "Teaching was something Ian only started recently, and was something he loved. He was in the process of applying for places in September.
"He had obviously made strong attachment to the school – I can tell that from the tributes paid show how well liked he was.
"We will all miss him very much."
James Tickle, principal of Roundhill Academy, said: "Ian's death has been a huge shock for all members of The Roundhill Academy community and we are still trying to come to terms with this tragedy."
A funeral will be held at Loughborough Crematorium on May 11 at 2pm.
All are welcome to attend.
