Baby dies just hours after laughing for the first time
A baby boy in the UK died from meningitis just hours after he giggled and laughed for the very first time.
Little Evan Summerfield, from South Devon, was staying with his great-grandparents when he developed a high temperature and rash stretching from his head to his belly button.
When his great-grandmother carried out a tumbler test and the rash did not disappear, four-month-old Evan was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis.
Medical staff fought to save the baby boy's life but he was diagnosed with meningoccal septicaemia and died hours later.
"We're so confused how fast this horrible, nasty illness just takes hold," his grandmother, Sarah, 38, told UK media.
"One moment he was laughing and smiling and then, it seems like in a heartbeat, he was so cruelly taken away."
Just hours earlier, the little boy had laughed and giggled for the first time.
The little boy's death has devastated Evan's mother, Shannon E-Summerfield, 17, and father, Kris Adams, 19.
When little Evan fell ill, the couple immediately sought medical advice.
“They took him to the doctors and that was the first and last time he laughed, It’s like he left it for us," Sarah said.
"The doctor said he had a virus and gave him Calpol and Nurofen, and said if it gets worse come straight back.
"They went home and put him to bed and he was fine, but in the morning he had a rash from the top of his head to his belly button.
"My mum did the glass test and called 999 - she was so quick-thinking - it would be easy to think it was chicken pox.
"I just remember him having doctors and nurses all around him. But he was pronounced dead at 10.15am.
"I'm 38 and I never thought I would have to sort out a funeral, never mind for my 17-year-old daughter having to organise one for her four-month-old son.
"It's not right. I should have gone first before my grandson."
"He was so loved by everyone around him and everyone who saw him would comment on his gorgeous big, blue eyes. He was such a content baby."
Now family friend Charlie McManus has set up a fundraising page to help pay for Evan's funeral and help ease some of the heartbreak.
More than £1600 ($2174) has already been donated to help cover the cost of Evan's funeral.
All extra money will be donated to meningitis research.
"We're not looking to give him a King's funeral, just what he deserves. We're so grateful to everyone, people have been so kind," Sarah added.
"We also want to warn people to be vigilant - it's just shocking. There is a vaccine available now which hasn't been licensed yet because there are debates over price.
"But how can you put a price on life, it's sickening."
Donate to Baby Evan's Funeral Fund.
