A HEARTBROKEN father last night claimed his teenage son died after contracting a hospital bug following a back operation.The exact cause of death of Alex Ogden, 17, is not known, after he developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, inflammation to the lungs, six weeks after an operation to stabilise his spine .

A HEARTBROKEN father last night claimed his teenage son died after contracting a hospital bug following a back operation.

The exact cause of death of Alex Ogden, 17, is not known, after he developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, inflammation to the lungs, six weeks after an operation to stabilise his spine .

But his father Ian Ogden believes his son, who had suffered from curvature of the spine for three years, contracted antibiotic resistant bacterial infection MRSA, while in the intensive care unit at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, before his death last Sunday .

Mr Ogden said: "We are not sure what is going to be on the death certificate but we know Alex contracted acute respiratory distress syndrome.

"But we also believe this was triggered by the MRSA. As far as we know, Alex didn't die from the operation, he died from the complications of capturing MRSA.

"The issue of MRSA is more prevalent in hospitals and we feel people are not given enough indication of this.

"The operation itself was carried out in a professional manner but I feel that Alex was taken into a MRSA-rich environment when he went into the hospital's ICU.

He added: "We are hoping the coroner will now investigate as we would like answers, but we are not sure if we are ever going to have them."

Mr Ogden said his son's spinal injuries had developed over the last three years.

"There was no reason why the problems with Alex's spine started .

"He had surgery last year to correct bone intrusion into his spine which was successful in dealing with the cause. The operation in June was meant to try and deal with the symptoms," he added.

The operation took place just weeks after Alex had completed his AS level exams at Culford School. He had won the school's Pilkington Cup given for courage under adversity and was hoping for a career in business when he finished his schooling.

Mr Ogden said: "He was a very special individual, very courageous and inspirational. He took whatever challenges he had head on, he didn't waver and he never wanted to worry his family.

"In terms of his back, he never let it affect him or his ability to get on with his life. He was a very clever lad and we were certainly very proud of him.

"He was very caring and always concerned about the welfare of others. He was a very popular lad and his death was a tragic loss."

Mr Ogden, a colonel for the Royal Engineers, and his wife Christina moved to Rougham five years ago from Germany where he was working. Alex also leaves behind a 21-year-old sister Andrea.

A hospital spokeswoman declined to comment on whether MRSA had been the cause of death or whether an investigation would take place into Alex's death.

She said: "It is a terrible thing when someone so young dies and we would like to offer our condolences and sympathies to the family.

"If they have anymore concerns or anything they need clarifying they should get in touch with us."

Alex's funeral will take place at Culford School on Thursday and a memorial service is being planned for next month .