A 14-YEAR-OLD student who had refused to see a doctor died three days later of food poisoning, a coroner's court heard on Friday.

Muhammad Helmi Frankford was among about 18 who had diarrhoea and vomiting after a Hari Raya open house at his guardians' home in Woodlands.

The teen was living with his grand uncle, Mr Hamzah Minggu, 61, and grand aunt, Madam Khatijah Mohd Tahir, 55, at their Woodlands Street 41 flat.

On Oct 28 last year, his guardians threw an open house and invited about 50 relatives and friends over for the gathering. The food was prepared by Madam Khatijah.

Guests also brought cakes and fruit.

The next morning, the couple came down with diarrhoea. They found out later that about 15 of their guests had also the same symptoms.

Mr Hamzah and most of the affected guests recovered after medical treatment.

But Helmi was ill for three days.

By the time his grand uncle wanted to take him to the doctor on Oct 31, it was too late. He was found lying motionless on the bed, and was pronounced dead at about 2.50pm.

The cause of death was blood poisoning caused by salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella enteritidis is a common cause of food poisoning or acute gastroenteritis, occurring in livestock and high-risk foods such as meat, eggs and milk.

Returning an open verdict on Helmi's death, State Coroner Victor Yeo said while it was clear that the teen and others had contracted salmonella at the celebration, it was unclear which of the food items or drinks was contaminated.

'The deceased's death could also have been contributed by his delay in seeking treatment,' he said.