ONE of the four competitors who collapsed during the Great North Run died from natural causes.

Medical examinations were carried out into the death of deputy headteacher Phil Lewis.

Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on 34-year-old Kieran Patching, of Chatham, Kent, and David Mahaffey, 43, from York.

Inquiries have also taken place into the death of company director Reuben Wilson, 28, from Leeds.

Fellow competitors in the race, which starts in Newcastle and ends in South Shields, South Tyneside, had complained of the heat during the race.

A spokeswoman for coroner Terrence Carney said: ''A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Lewis died from natural causes and it was unfortunate he died while competing in the Great North Run.

''There will not be an inquest into Mr Lewis's death and his body will be formally released to his family."

Mr Lewis taught at Moorside Community Technical College in Consett, County Durham, for 26 years.

The 52-year-old, from Chester-le-Street, described as an inspiring teacher, leaves a widow, Rose, and two grown-up children.

The spokeswoman said Mr Wilson was also likely to have died from natural causes but that further tests would be carried out.

She said: ''The death of Mr Wilson is looking very much like natural causes as well and because of his young age, the doctor wants to carry out a few more tests."