A four-year-old boy died suddenly after ‘crying blood’ while complaining about a pain in his armpit on a family holiday.
Sammy Knowles, 38, and her husband John, 40, had taken their young family on a weekend trip to Blackpool in February, hoping to spend a few days by the seaside.
But when it was time to leave, four-year-old Jaxon complained about his armpit hurting and suddenly became unwell.
He later developed a tummy ache, and upon returning home was given Calpol by his mum and told to go to bed.
However, Jaxon awoke at 5am, and to his mother’s horror had developed a large rash on his torso. She rushed him to hospital where he was later diagnosed with meningitis.
‘My first thought was that it was chicken pox and I was devastated for him but when I turned on the lamp next to me, I immediately saw how bad it was,’ Mrs Knowles told the Sun.
‘I told my husband that I wanted to go to A&E straightaway and as we were getting dressed his condition got worse.
‘He threw up, then his mouth and tongue began swelling. We immediately called 999 who told us to lay him down but he couldn’t breathe so we had to turn him to his side.
‘It felt like an eternity had passed until emergency responders arrived then the ambulance crews.
‘We were not told anything about it being meningitis until we were in the ambulance where we were told 15 nurses and doctors were waiting in the ICU of Rotherham Hospital.
‘I was in shock as I had not heard anything about meningitis for years.’
Jaxon’s condition continued to worsen as doctors worked to stablisise the youngster, and he soon deteriorated to the point that he was ‘crying blood’.
He was then placed into a medically-induced coma and had his heart restarted after it stopped beating.
Shortly afterwards, Jaxon’s parents were told their son had died from a rare bacterial form of meningitis called meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal disease is said to be a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium neisseria meningitidis.
Although it can strike at any age, young children are particularly vulnerable and around 10% of cases result in death.
A foundation for Jaxon, who was an avid Sheffield Wednesday fan, has since been made where all donations go to Meningitis Now.
A statement reads: ‘This site is a tribute to JAX, who was born in Sheffield jessops on July 26, 2020. Our precious IVF miracle.
‘Full of life loved everyone and everything. Little owls Wednesday fan sadly passed away aged 4 to meningococcal meningitis.
‘He is much loved and will always be remembered.’
Sheffield Wednesday also held a tribute to Owls fan in their match against Sunderland.
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