HE was a little hero who battled the odds having been born with a hole in his heart.

But now the parents of Sam Cutler,who died just three days before his 13th birthday, are demanding answers over why an out of hours GP service did not respond when his condition deteriorated.

The youngster had been suffering what was initially diagnosed as a stomach bug but days later when Sam’s condition worsened concerned mum Linda phoned the out of hours service – only to be told to wait until the next day to see their GP.

Linda and husband Andy are now demanding an explanation over why he was not seen. “If he had been, his life might have been saved,” Linda, 39, said.

“I told them something wasn’t right. I said that Sam had a heart condition and he had started having hallucinations and slurring.

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“That decision might have saved our son’s life because it could have helped if he was seen straight away.

“Somebody should have come out to see him straight away.”

An investigation by health chiefs has now been launched.

Meanwhile his family are preparing to say goodbye to the popular Redbridge School pupil and avid Saints fan at his funeral tomorrow.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to gather at St Peter’s Church in Maybush for the service. A horse and carriage will carry Sam’s coffin to the church.

Brave Sam underwent three major operations before he was five, having been born with a hole in his heart and suffering from a rare condition where all his organs were in the opposite position to what they should be. Following surgery, doctors said he would lead a normal life.

But on May 5 Sam felt unwell.

Four days later his condition suddenly worsened and his parents phoned the out of hours service.

After explaining his symptoms they were told to wait more than 15 hours to see their GP,who immediately told them to take Sam to hospital where he was found to have a blood infection that originated from his heart. He died on May 17.

Linda, of Tindale Road, Maybush, said: “Before he died Sam said he just wanted to be like a normal kid. He said ‘mum I am tired, I want to go to sleep now. I love you’. Those were his last words.

“He would never complain, he always tried his best at everything. He was so brave all the way through his life, that is why I call him my hero.”

Fighting back tears Andy, 47, said: “He went through hell and back when he was a kid but he got through it and he would never let anything stop him. To be taken three days from his teenage birthday kills me.

“You don’t ever think your child will die before you and now we want answers.”

Linda added: “We want this investigation because I don’t want anyone else to go through what has happened to Sam.”

An inquest has been opened into Sam’s death.

Dr Ros Tolcher, Solent Healthcare Chief Officer, said: “We are sorry a young life has been lost and our thoughts are with his family and friends during these difficult times.

While we are unable to publicly discuss detail surrounding the care we provided, we are looking closely at how our services responded and whether they can or should be improved in anyway.

“I hope that we will have an opportunity to talk to Sam’s family in due course.”