The family of a healthy teenager has been left in deep grief after he died hours after being diagnosed with the flu.
William Jones, 16, was found unconscious in his bed by his mother Rebecca Rollason at their home near Wellington, New Zealand, on June 14.
She called the doctor a day early after William developed a sore throat and cough two days earlier.
The doctor told the worried mother of three to give William plenty of fluids and to call back the next day if she was still concerned about his condition.
He went to check on William the next morning, but the teenager was already dead.
“We just don’t understand how this could happen to a child who was rarely sick and was very healthy,” Mrs Rollason told the New Zealand Herald.
‘We wonder how what started as a sore throat, runny nose and cough on Tuesday is no longer with us three days later.’
Nearly three weeks later, William’s devastated family still do not know how he died.
William Jones, 16 (pictured), was found unconscious in his bed by his mother Rebecca Rollason at their home near Wellington, New Zealand, on June 14.
The grieving family is still awaiting results from specialists to determine the cause of death.
William was a talented musician who attended Upper Hutt College.
She got her driver’s license last year, just weeks after celebrating her 16th birthday.
Friends, loved ones and the local community were devastated by his death.
William was mourned by his loved ones, friends, teachers and classmates at his funeral on June 21.
Mrs Rollason told mourners that William was looking forward to his future.
“William was an amazing, talented and very intelligent boy, who we loved very much,” she said.
Rebecca Rollason (pictured) said the grieving family still do not know how William (pictured left) died hours after being diagnosed with flu.
A lifelong friend of Ms. Rollason organized a fundraiser in Give a little bit to help the family cover funeral costs.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare and a terrible tragedy to lose a healthy child to a sudden and brief illness,” wrote Amanda Amies.
So far, nearly $15,500 has been raised.
“Rebecca and her family want everyone to know that they are incredibly grateful for all the support and kindness,” the latest fundraiser update reads.
Health officials have urged Kiwis to be aware of and protect themselves from respiratory illnesses such as influenza, Covid-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during winter.
The flu is responsible for two per cent of deaths in New Zealand each year.
