Lily King, an 18-year-old student from Buckinghamshire, tragically passed away after suffering a fatal allergic reaction during a family holiday in Morocco.
On the trip, which was meant to celebrate Lily completing her first year of an economics degree, the teenager ate a small piece of carrot at a restaurant in Rabat.
Although she had a history of severe allergies, it was this tiny bite of food that triggered the deadly reaction.
Lily's mother, Aicha, recalled the heartbreaking final moments to the Daily Mail. "She said, 'You know Mum, I love you. I'm sorry. Goodbye,'" Aicha said. "And she collapsed in my arms."
Despite quickly taking an antihistamine and using her EpiPen, Lily's condition deteriorated rapidly. She suffered from anaphylaxis, which led to a cardio-respiratory arrest. She passed away four days later in the hospital.
Lily had been diagnosed with multiple severe allergies at the age of two-and-a-half, including to fish, seafood, nuts, sesame, milk, and eggs. Throughout her life, her family was extremely careful with her diet, with Aicha preparing all her meals and even bringing food from home during trips.
However, on this occasion, the restaurant in Morocco served Lily a dish that contained vegetables and a sauce that had not been requested, leading to the fatal exposure.
Aicha, who speaks fluent Arabic, was able to communicate with the staff, but she struggled to ensure her daughter received the necessary care. "Neither the waiter nor any of the doctors spoke English. Without Arabic, it would have been impossible to make myself understood," Aicha said. "It is my mother tongue and yet I still couldn't get the care Lily needed."
The tragedy has led Lily’s parents, Aicha and Michael, to warn others about the potential dangers of eating out while traveling, especially in countries where food regulations may differ from those in the UK. Michael, reflecting on their past experiences, said, “Before then, we didn't think her allergies were life-threatening. This one could have killed her. It changed everything.”
Aicha described her daughter as her "best friend, my everything," and now says that without Lily, "our life is nothing." The family’s focus has now shifted to raising awareness about severe food allergies, especially for those traveling abroad, where language barriers and cultural differences can make securing safe food options difficult.