WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of people who have died
Luke Wingfield, 36, has been remembered as a loved family member who was the ‘life of the party’ before his death from meningococcal b, his family and friends have said.
It comes with the number of meningococcal cases in South Australia double what it was at the same time last year, prompting authorities and Wingfield’s family to warn others to remain vigilant.
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Wingfield woke up with a fever and cold and flu symptoms on Tuesday, July 18, his sister Tania Wingfield said.
He was taken from his Adelaide home to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but less than 24 hours later, the family decided to take him off life support.
Some of his family made their way to Adelaide from Port Augusta to say their goodbyes.
But his mother, who is in palliative care herself in an aged care home, could not make the trip.
“It just breaks my heart when I’m with my sibling and parents,” Tania said.
“It just feels like a dream, like a bad nightmare that we can’t wake up from … (like) Is this really happening? Is he really gone?
“He was the most loveable person you could ever come across, and we’re absolutely devastated that he’s no longer here with us.”
Wingfield’s brother, Lee, said the 36-year-old called for an ambulance twice, but was rejected the first time and told his symptoms weren’t serious enough.
They later attended the residence after Wingfield suffered a seizure, Lee said.
SA Ambulance service has confirmed it is investigating the call.
Lee stressed the importance of people being aware of the meningococcal symptoms, including fever, headaches, vomiting, neck stiffness and sometimes a rash.
“Seek medical attention straight away, don’t muck around, it’s too dangerous,” Lee Wingfield said.
“(Luke was) a hardworking man,” he said.
Ten people who had close contact with Wingfield, including two cousins he lived with, have been told to take antibiotics as a precaution.
A total of 16 people have contracted meningococcal in SA so far this year, compared to eight, the same time last year.
The 36-year-old’s family said he was a sporting fanatic and a Port Adelaide Football Club die-hard.
In a touching tribute, his cousin Matthew Coulthard wore a black armband during his AFL debut for Richmond Football Club.
“He treated his brothers like kings, his sister (and) mother like queens,” Tania said.
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