Teen dies hours after complaining of sore throat and cough

A family has been left shattered after their “healthy” teenager was found dead just hours after complaining of flu symptoms.

A “healthy” teenager has died just hours after being diagnosed with the flu.

The family of William Jones have been left reeling from the unimaginable loss, sharing that they found him unresponsive by his bed on June 14.

The 16-year-old, from Wellington, New Zealand, had developed a sore throat and cough, with his concerned mother-of-three Rebecca Rollason calling the doctor the day before he died.

She was allegedly told the mum to give her son “plenty of fluids” and to call again the following day if she was still worried.

But it was too late. When she went to check on him the next morning, he was already dead.

Tributes have flowed for the teenager after his sudden death. Picture: Givealittle

“We just don’t understand how this can happen to a boy who was barely ever sick and was very healthy,” Ms Rollason told the New Zealand Herald.

“We ask ourselves how what started as a sore throat, snotty nose and a cough on Tuesday to no longer with us three days later.”

After three gruelling weeks, William’s heartbroken family still have no idea how he died and are still waiting for results from specialists to determine his cause of death.

William was a talented musician at his high school and had just gotten his driver’s license last year, weeks after celebrating his 16th birthday.

His friends and family have been left shattered by his sudden death. William was farewelled by his loved ones, friends, teachers and classmates at a funeral on June 21.

Mother Rebecca has been left heartbroken over the loss of her son. Picture: Givealittle

His mother told mourners that William was looking forward to a bright future.

“William was an amazing, talented and very bright kind boy who we love so very much,” she said.

A friend of the family set up a fundraiser for his family to help cover the sudden funeral costs.

“It is every parent’s worst nightmare and a shocking tragedy to lose a healthy child from a sudden and brief illness,” the fundraiser reads.

“Rebecca and family would like all to know that we are incredibly grateful for all the support and kindness.”

He was a talented musician at his high school with a bright future ahead. Picture: Givealittle

Over $15,500 has been raised so far.

In Australia, 39 people died from the flu last year. Of these, 9 were children younger than 16 years, according to the Australian Department of Health.

This was higher than the number of flu-associated deaths in children in 2022 and in many pre-COVID-19 pandemic years.

In July 2023, an 11-year-old Queensland girl died after catching influenza B. Emma Schwab, from Noosa, died at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after contracting the disease.

It is understood she had sought private treatment for the illness before presenting to hospital.