Young Briton Succumbs to Severe Allergic Reaction While Travelling in South America
A 24-year-old British man, Harry Kitto from Falmouth in Cornwall, has tragically died after suffering a catastrophic allergic reaction whilst travelling in Argentina. The incident occurred during his South American adventure with his girlfriend, Naomi.
Harry was rushed to a hospital in Buenos Aires, where medical professionals fought for a week to save his life. He was described as showing immense strength and determination throughout the ordeal. Sadly, he was declared brain dead and passed away on Friday, surrounded by his loving family.
Family's Heartbreak and Fundraiser Success
The nature of the allergic reaction has not been publicly disclosed. Harry, who described himself as a barber and photographer on social media, had been documenting his travels, sharing images from the Salkantay trek and his visit to Machu Picchu in Peru.
His grieving parents, Leigh Kitto and Kerry Burt, shared emotional tributes on Facebook. His father Leigh wrote, 'Sadly our son Harry passed away in Argentina doing what he loves most.' His mother Kerry expressed that the family is 'heartbroken' and now faces the unimaginable task of bringing him home.
A GoFundMe page was swiftly established to cover the costs of repatriating Harry's body. In a remarkable display of support, the fundraiser garnered nearly £57,000 in just one day, swiftly approaching its £70,000 target.
A Community Rallies to Bring Harry Home
A statement from Harry's family on the fundraiser page described him as 'brave, strong, and full of love until the very end'. They added, 'Harry fought so hard, and we have never been prouder of him.'
Jay Wicks, the fundraiser's organiser, posted an update, stating the kindness, love and generosity had left them speechless. He confirmed that, thanks to the donations, they are now liaising with a funeral director in Argentina to begin the process of bringing Harry back to the UK.
This devastating event has highlighted the risks of travelling with serious allergies, whilst also showcasing the powerful community support that emerges in times of tragedy.
