FLOWERS carrying the simple but poignant message 'Why’, mark the spot where a father lost his life.

Thirteen youths were arrested after 67-year-old Ernest Norton collapsed and died at a public tennis court on Sunday afternoon. Police are treating the death as suspicious.

Mr Norton had been enjoying a game of cricket outside Erith Leisure Centre when the tragedy unfolded.

Witnesses reported seeing a gang of youngsters throwing stones and jeering.

Police, trying to piece together how Mr Norton died, have released on bail the 13 youths arrested near the scene.

Mr Norton, who lived with his wife and son in Erith, collapsed at about 3.45pm on the tennis court at the back of the leisure centre.

A paramedic fast-response car and ambulance rushed to the scene. The Air Ambulance was also scrambled and the police called. A doctor and paramedics battled in vain to resuscitate Mr Norton, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination at Queen Mary’s Hospital, on Monday, found the cause of death to be heart failure, aggravated by a previous medical condition and injury to the head.

It is understood Mr Norton had been playing cricket with his son who was treated for shock.

There were also suggestions the man’s wife had been using the leisure centre at the time of her husband’s death.

The leisure centre in Avenue Road remained open throughout the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 020 8721 4868 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.