A devastated father has paid an emotional tribute to his 'kind hearted son' after the sixth-form student died from meningitis. Sean Walters spoke of his heartbreak following the loss of his 'loving' son Lewis Walters, who passed away in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Reading, Berkshire.
Father's Emotional Tribute
Mr Walters shared photographs of Lewis surrounded by his family in a poignant social media post, where he remembered his 'funny and social' son. He wrote: 'Words simply can't describe the heartbreak and upset we're going through. The early hours of yesterday we lost our Lewis. Within a few hours of feeling a bit ill he developed sepsis and was taken from us. He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team, but they just couldn't save him. We are absolutely devastated.'
He added: 'If you didn't know Lewis, he was a funny, sociable kind hearted soul. He liked to include everyone and took great joy in winding me and Kate up. He also loved his sisters, friends and family dearly. Life won't be the same for many of us now that he's gone.'
Shockwaves Through the Community
The teenager's death has left his friends in shock, sending shockwaves through the village of Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire. Parents at Henley College received an email explaining the tragedy. One mother said: 'It's come as a total shock to my son and the students. They are so closely knit so it has affected them greatly. They are all in shock to be honest with you. How do you come to terms with this at such an age? It's awful.'
Two other college students are currently being treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for meningitis following the recent outbreak. They attend the Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre in Emmer Green, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed.
Health Response
Specialists from the UKHSA have confirmed that close contacts of all cases are being offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure. One case has been identified as Meningitis B, but it is not the same strain as earlier outbreaks this year. In March, an outbreak of Meningitis B in Canterbury, Kent, resulted in two deaths and approximately 20 confirmed cases. The UKHSA has stated that students and parents at all affected schools are being provided with information about the signs and symptoms, and the risk to the wider public remains low.
The principal of Henley College, Simon Spearman, said: 'The Henley College can confirm that one of its students sadly passed away earlier this week. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student's family and friends at this extremely difficult time. We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UK Health Security Agency.'
