In a heart-wrenching account that has left a community in mourning, a mother has shared the devastating final moments with her 12-year-old daughter who suddenly collapsed from a brain haemorrhage.
The Day That Changed Everything
Melissa Haines, 33, had just enjoyed a perfectly normal evening with her daughter, Faith, when tragedy struck without warning. The vibrant schoolgirl had been complaining of headaches in the days leading up to the incident, but nothing could have prepared the family for what was to come.
"I begged her to stop messaging and go to sleep," Melissa recalled through tears, describing their final conversation. "Those were the last words I ever spoke to her."
A Mother's Worst Nightmare
Just hours after their goodnight exchange, Melissa discovered her daughter unconscious on the bedroom floor. The frantic mother immediately dialled 999 while performing CPR on her unresponsive child.
"I was screaming down the phone, 'My daughter's not breathing!'" Melissa remembered. "I was trying to do CPR while waiting for the ambulance. It was the longest eight minutes of my life."
Devastating Diagnosis
Faith was rushed to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where medical scans revealed the catastrophic truth: the young girl had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, the damage was too severe.
"They told us there was nothing more they could do," Melissa said. "We had to make the impossible decision to turn off her life support."
A Life Cut Tragically Short
Faith, described by her family as "the most beautiful girl inside and out," was a Year 8 student who dreamed of becoming a paramedic. Her sudden death has left her school community and hometown of Newark in profound shock.
Melissa now keeps her daughter's memory alive through cherished videos and photos, clinging to the precious moments they shared during Faith's too-brief life.
Warning Signs and Awareness
The family hopes that by sharing their tragic story, they might help other parents recognise potential warning signs of serious neurological conditions in children. While Faith's headaches seemed ordinary at first, her case highlights how quickly a routine complaint can turn into a life-threatening emergency.
This devastating loss serves as a poignant reminder to cherish every moment with loved ones and to take even minor health concerns in children seriously.
