Shock and sadness swept a Brentwood school this week after a "model student" died suddenly from suspected meningitis.
Brentwood County High pupil Darren Brooks, 15, was due to take mock GCSE exams on Monday, but instead tearful staff and schoolfriends were told he had died from what is believed to be meningitis over the weekend.
Head teacher Carol Mason paid tribute to the Harold Hill teenager. She said: "Our deepest sympathies go to his family and friends. He was a model student and will be greatly missed by the staff as well as his friends.
"Students' greatest memories of Darren were his great smile and his ability always to be cheering everyone up. He had many friends and everyone in the year group said how easy he was to get on with."
Mrs Mason said Darren was a keen sailor and one of his ambitions was to sail around the world. He also loved playing the guitar and was studying GCSE Music alongside a number of other subjects.
He was taken ill on Sunday, January 12 and was taken to Romford's Oldchurch Hospital for treatment, but he died that evening.
Parents of students at the school were informed on Monday about his death and sent information about the symptoms of the disease.
Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Dr Glynis Double, from Barking and Havering Public Health Department, gave assurances that it was highly unlikely that other students would be affected.
As a result of this expert medical advice the school decided not to close, but students devastated by the news were given counselling at the school or allowed to go home.
A spokesman for Essex Health Authority said it had been in close liaison with the school and was helping it to pass on advice to parents on how to spot meningitis.
Darren's family were too upset to speak to reporters this week and the funeral arrangements had not been confirmed at the time of going to press.
For more information about the disease contact the Meningitis Trust on 0845 6000800 or visit the dedicated website: www.meningitis.org
Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article