Tragedy Strikes Hours After GP Visit
An 11-year-old boy from Essex died in front of his family just hours after a doctor told him his sore throat was 'just a virus'. Frankie-Rae Law from Braintree complained of a sore throat on Friday, November 14, prompting his mother, Keleigh Law, 33, to rush him to their local GP practice.
The GP dismissed his symptoms as a simple viral infection, sending them home with reassurance. Tragically, this assessment proved fatally incorrect.
A Mother's Horrific Ordeal
Later that same day, Frankie-Rae approached his mother in a state of panic. 'He came to the living room gasping for air and the absolute sheer horror on his face was insane,' Keleigh recalled. 'He told me 'I can't breathe'.'
The frightened boy began pacing before falling eerily silent. His mother followed him to the bathroom where she discovered every parent's worst nightmare. Frankie-Rae was slumped over the toilet, his lips grey and his eyes glazed over. Keleigh desperately shook him, trying to wake him up.
Her mother, who had burst through the front door, immediately began CPR, performing it for 30 minutes. For a few fleeting seconds, it seemed to work. 'She got him back for a couple of seconds where his lips went pink and he'd opened his eyes and a bit of spit came out,' Keleigh said. 'But then he had gone again.'
Frantic Efforts and Heartbreaking Outcome
Paramedics arrived at the scene and dragged Frankie-Rae to the living room. They attempted to use defibrillator pads but could not administer a shock because the boy had no heart rhythm. Despite this, a pulse was detected.
Eight paramedics, police, and a specialist heart team worked tirelessly on him. They conveyed the grim news to Keleigh that her son's chance of survival was 'very thin' and that even if he did survive, he would likely have brain damage.
Frankie-Rae was rushed to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, where doctors continued resuscitation efforts and performed an MRI scan. Ultimately, they had to deliver the devastating news to his mother that there was no hope.
'Doctors told me there is nothing there and asked if I wanted to sit and hold his hand while they turned the ventilator off,' Keleigh said. She sat with him, holding his hand and kissing him as he passed away at 3.30am on Saturday.
A Family's Grief and a Community's Support
Keleigh described the profound guilt she feels, saying, 'I just want to be with my son. I feel like I failed him. He was my best friend.' She remembers him as a 'lovable child' whose 'smile literally lit up a room'.
The family still does not know the official cause of Frankie-Rae's sudden death. Doctors have so far been unable to determine what was wrong with him.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community has rallied around the family. His school has created a memorial area, and over 40 bunches of flowers, teddy bears, and cards have been left in his memory. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help give Frankie-Rae the proper send-off he deserves.
