A 16-year-old, who was described as "very healthy", died just days after complaining of a sore throat.
William Jones, from Wellington, New Zealand developed a sore throat which is seemingly harmless but after other symptoms like a persistent cough started presenting themselves, his worried mom, Rebecca Rollason, rang the doctors.
She was allegedly told to give her son "plenty of fluids" before ringing back the next day if his symptoms got worse.
Unfortunately, William did not make it through the night.
Rebecca went to check on her son in the morning but was left devastated when she discovered his body lying next to his bed.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, the heartbroken mother-of-three described losing her son as a "nightmare."
"As you can imagine we just don’t understand and cannot believe he is gone," she said. "It feels like the worst nightmare that we cannot wake from."
The 16-year-old's sore throat started on Tuesday (June 11), and his mom called the doctors on Thursday. But sadly, by Friday, William died.
"We just don’t understand how this can happen to a boy who was barely ever sick and was very healthy," Rebecca continued. "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.
"No one understands, we don’t know what happened. We have to wait for results," she added.
An investigation into what caused the teenager's death is now underway while the family waits to see what could have killed their loved one in a matter of days.
William was a student at Upper Hutt College and was known for his musical talents. The news of his death has sent ripped throughout the wider community.
“William was an amazing, talented and very bright kind boy who we love so very much,” his mom told the outlet. "He was a talented musician and had his future all planned out."
"It is an incredibly hard and devastating time for us," she concluded.
In the meantime, a friend close to the family has set up a GiveALittle page in order to aid the family during this difficult time.
"I have set up this page to help Rebecca and her 2 remaining sons with funeral costs and to alleviate financial burden during this grieving period. It is every parent's worst nightmare and a shocking tragedy to lose a healthy child from a sudden and brief illness," read the description.
In an update posted to the page, it was said that the family is grateful for the donations so far, which has just hit over $17,000.
Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
