Tears for St Francis Xavier College student Levi Syer, 16, after sudden death
After a day on the tools, 16-year-old Levi complained of a sore neck. Within hours the Australian teen was gone. His heartbroken mum says a simple act could have saved him.
Levi Syer had just turned 16.
He was looking forward to getting his braces off, had already clocked up 20 hours as a learner driver and was about to start playing with a new basketball team.
Now his devastated family are planning his funeral after a deadly infection killed the popular Clyde North teen in less than a day.
Levi died from sepsis, which he developed after contracting meningococcal B.
His mum Norliah Syer says one simple act could have saved the boy she called her “best mate”.
“There is a vaccine for meningococcal B but we didn’t know about it,” she said.
Like most Year 10 students across Victoria Levi received a free meningococcal ACWY vaccine at school.
But immunisation against meningococcal serogroup B disease is only free under the National Immunisation Program schedule for at risk groups.
“It should be free for everyone,” Ms Syer said.
In the wake of her son’s death the primary school teacher said she was making it her mission to raise awareness about the dangers of sepsis and campaign for free access to a meningococcal B vaccine.
“We had no idea what sepsis was,” Ms Syer said.
“Levi had spent the day working with his uncle in his removalist business.
“He fell asleep in the truck on the way home and complained of a sore neck when he woke up.
“I thought it was because he had been on a funny angle.”
A stiff neck can be a symptom of sepsis, a serious illness that is difficult to recognise, diagnose and treat.
According to Sepsis Australia the illness is the body’s life-threatening inflammatory response to an infection that can damage its own tissues and organs.
“Sepsis is a time-critical emergency that can lead to shock and potential death if not recognised early and treated quickly,” the organisation says.
Ms Syer called an ambulance for Levi about 2.30am Wednesday, only a few hours after he complained of sore legs and feeling nauseous.
“By then he was disoriented and not making any sense,” she said.
He was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital and taken straight to the intensive care unit.
Mrs Syer was asked to leave the room while Levi was intubated,
“I made the prayer sign and blew him a kiss. He gave me a thumbs up,” she said.
The interaction was their last.
Levi’s heart started to fail and CPR was commenced.
“We were there in intensive care with him, willing him to stay, but he didn’t make it,” Ms Syer said.
Levi was humble, handy in the kitchen and played the guitar beautifully.
Zac, 19, said his little brother cooked a perfect burger.
“No one grilled the cheese like he did,” he said.
“He was really interested in food. We used to do these taste tests, driving all over the place trying out different things, trying to find the best versions.
“Actually we used to do a lot of driving around together. Not going anywhere specific. Just cruising and chatting.”
Keen to secure his own licence, Levi had already clocked up 20 hours as a learner driver.
“He was excited about driving, but sensible. He listened,” Ms Syer said.
“It’s hard to believe he won’t be getting those P plates.
“He really was my sidekick. We went to Thailand together last year, his first trip overseas. I took him to his first concert, Coldplay, not long ago.
“We were planning a mum and son day in the city during the school holidays. We were just going to walk around and laugh at funny things we saw.”
Levi will be farewelled next Friday at Berwick Church of Christ.
His wake will be held at the Berwick Springs Hotel from 12.30pm.
A GoFundMe has been established to help cover the cost of Levi’s funeral and memorial.
In just three days the online fundraiser has collected more than $35,000.
Funds left over after Levi’s farewells will be donated to Sepsis Australia.
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