A Tennessee father-to-be died just weeks before the birth of his second child due to an allergic reaction to a wasp sting.
Matt Johnson, 40, was checking out his duck hunting stand in a remote area of West Memphis when the incident occurred.
He managed to administer his EpiPen and call an ambulance before walking somewhere to be picked up.
However, he fell unconscious when help arrived and later died.
The devoted father developed an allergy to wasps as an adult, his friend Patrick Weddling said. 6News.
Father-to-be Matt Johnson died just weeks before the birth of his second child after an allergic reaction to a wasp sting.
“He always carried his EpiPen with him and he’s a big guy, you know? It’s unbelievable that a bug bite could do something like that,” Wredling said.
‘They were in the middle of nowhere, so they were trying to get somewhere to meet the ambulance, and they found them, luckily, but I think he was unconscious when he got into the ambulance.’
Now you have created a GoFundMe to help cover the expenses of his wife Ashton and their sons Rhett, three, and their unborn son, Cole, due in three weeks.
“Matt was loved by so many people because he had a big heart and made friends with anyone he met,” Weddling said.
“His personality lit up any room. He loved Ashton and Rhett so much and was the best dad.
‘Her bond with Rhett was unmatched, except for their matching outfits.’
His neighbor Stephanie White also paid tribute to the late father.
Johnson, 40, was checking out his duck hunting stand in a remote area of West Memphis when the incident occurred. He leaves behind his wife, Ashton, son Rhett and unborn son Cole.
Johnson developed an allergy to wasp stings as an adult and carried an EpiPen, but it wasn’t enough to save him.
“Matt was one of the best. He completed our team and we really don’t know how to live without him,” he said.
“He was a great neighbor and friend (…) he was a big teddy bear to my son and we will truly miss him.”
Johnson was co-owner of the Southern Xpress transportation company. His loved ones planned to celebrate his life after Cole was born.
So far, the fundraiser has raised over $30,000 in donations.
“It’s fantastic. People are very generous and he would be the first to donate to something like this,” Weddling added.
“I think this kind of thing comes back to haunt me when you treat people well throughout your life and support them. I’m not surprised at all.”