The sudden death of a teenager with the “kindest heart” has shaken a regional town as the tight-knit community rallies around her grieving family.
Ray Williams, an 18-year-old who worked at the local pub in Nyngan, a two-hour drive northwest of Dubbo, was taken to hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms on Monday morning before her health deteriorated. suddenly deteriorate.
His brother, Mitchell, told Daily Mail Australia that their mother, Lisa, had wanted to take Ray to Nyngan Hospital’s Emergency Department the day before, but she refused, saying he was “fine”.
“Mom literally had to drag her to the hospital on Monday morning because she was so worried, and then it all happened so fast,” Mitchell said.
‘Ray seemed to be improving when I arrived at hospital, then when they went to transfer her to go to the helicopter, things got worse and sadly she passed away that afternoon.
“She had been resuscitated twice and the hospital and recovery team did everything they could to save her, but unfortunately she was septic.”
He said the coroner was now determining the cause of his sister’s death.
However, it is suspected that Ray, known for her cheeky smile and selfless nature, may have had meningococcus which caused sepsis.
Ray Williams, who worked at the local Nyngan pub, died on Monday aged 18.
Mitchell Williams is pictured with his sister Ray at the Duck Creek Picnic Races in July of this year.
Mitchell, who works on Nyngan High School’s welfare team, said her sister was “always smiling” and “always willing to tell a story” before her sudden death.
“She was the kind of person who always went out of her way to help other people, going out of her way to help,” he said.
‘Even when she was sick in hospital, the only thing she worried about was telling her boss she wouldn’t be able to go to work that night.
“She had the kindest heart and was loved by everyone who was lucky enough to be in her life.”
He said the outpouring of support from his tight-knit community of about 2,000 people had comforted his family.
“This particular gesture broke me in a good way,” Mitchell said.
‘A Year 8 student at my school left flowers, chocolates and a note on my doorstep to say she was sorry for our loss.
“This girl knew Ray from the dance classes they did together.”
Ray is pictured on his 18th birthday in January with his aunt Bobbi, grandmother Gwen and mother Lisa.
Mitchell has started a GoFundMe page to help the family cover unexpected funeral and memorial costs with just over $32,000 raised at the time of this writing.
“She brought so much love and light into our lives and our family is devastated by this tragedy,” Mitchell wrote in the campaign.
‘Any support would mean the world to us as we go through this difficult time.
“Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.