Upper Hutt teenager William Jones dies a day after being diagnosed with the flu
The family of a healthy teenager has been left devastated after he died just 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 earlier, after William had 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 again the next day if she was still concerned about his condition.
She 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 boy who was barely sick and very healthy,” Ms Rollason told the newspaper. New Zealand herald.
‘We wonder how it is possible that three days later we no longer suffer from a sore throat, a runny nose and a cough on Tuesday.’
Nearly three weeks later, William’s heartbroken family still doesn’t 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 waiting for specialist results to determine the cause of death.
William was a talented musician who attended Upper Hutt College.
Last year he got his driver’s license, just weeks after he celebrated his 16th birthday.
Friends, loved ones and the local community are shocked by his death.
William was said goodbye at his funeral on June 21 by loved ones, friends, teachers and classmates.
Mrs Rollason told mourners that William is looking forward to his future.
“William was a wonderful, talented and very smart, kind boy who we love so much,” she said.
Rebecca Rollason (pictured) said the grieving family still does not know how William (pictured left) died, just hours after he was diagnosed with the flu.
A lifelong friend of Ms. Rollason has set up a fundraising campaign Give a little to help the family cover funeral costs.
“It is every parent’s worst nightmare and a shocking tragedy to lose a healthy child to a sudden and brief illness,” wrote Amanda Amies.
Nearly $15,500 has been raised so far.
‘Rebecca and [the] family would like [you] all to know that [they] are incredibly grateful for all the support and kindness,” the latest update from the fundraiser said.
Health officials have urged Kiwis to be aware of and protect themselves against respiratory illnesses such as flu, Covid-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during the winter.
Flu accounts for two percent of deaths in New Zealand each year.