Luke With Dad Del
TRAGIC: Luke with dad Del

A BRITISH 23-year-old has died from meningitis after returning from a dream holiday on the Costa Blanca.

Luke Brown, a fit and healthy plasterer, was rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital in Liverpool in September after his parents found him having seizures in bed, the Echo reported.

He had to be placed into an induced coma before passing away seven days later.

As an organ donor, he managed to save three people’s lives, including a man and a woman who had been waiting for a kidney for three years.

The local lad’s parents Del and Viv, both 52, believe the flight home from his Benidorm trip may have triggered the deadly infection.

They have described the illness as a ‘silent killer’ as it can often be mistaken for a hangover or as just being a bit under the weather.

When he began to feel ill Luke sent his dad a text which read: “Can you bring me up a can of Tango when you’re sorted?”

The evening before he was taken to hospital, he had complained of a headache and he didn’t come down for his dinner, and asked for a bath to be run for him.

The next day he was found having seizures in his bed before being rushed to hospital.

benidorm
Luke had just returned from holiday in Benidorm

His parents didn’t leave his bedside for the next seven days, before they had to turn off his life support machine as there was no sign of brain activity.

The family are hoping to create the Luke Brown Foundation after learning there’s a growing number of young people who’ve died from meningitis.

A black tie event will be held next April at the Village Hotel in Bromborough to raise funds for their campaign.

Luke’s friend, Joshua Griffiths, who is a serving soldier, has vowed to run five marathons in five days to raise money.

His Mum, Viv, said: “We don’t want Luke to be forgotten, we want to make people aware about meningitis. Our son was bubbly and handsome, and everyone loved him.

“Luke was healthy and fit and had so much to live for.”

His dad, Del, who worked as a plasterer with his son, said: “If our campaign helps just one person to recognise the symptoms, and then they get to the hospital in time to take antibiotics, then it’s worth it.

“The rate of survival for those with meningitis is horrendous. It’s the hardest thing in the world to lose a child.

“He was our only son, and we had him for nearly 24 years.”

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