Fine one day, dead the next: Flu kills boy

Mark Holloway. Photo / Supplied.

When Mark Holloway complained to his grandmother of a sore back, he was taken to the family doctor for a routine check.

The next day he was dead.

The 12-year-old, a pupil at Henderson Intermediate, died on Wednesday last week of what doctors have told the family was a strand of the flu.

On Monday, he was farewelled by about 300 friends and family at his West Auckland school.

Maria Matson said her nephew's unexpected death has shattered their close-knit family.

"Just the day before he was playing with his cousins, breakdancing and playing on his PlayStation," she said. "On Monday he said he had a sore back. That night it got worse so we took him to the doctor on Tuesday morning. He got some painkillers and was told to keep off his hip."

By Wednesday morning, the pain had increased and Mark's grandmother Mere, whom he lived with, took him to Waitakere Hospital, where he was looked at quickly before being rushed to the Starship children's hospital.

"My mother called me that Marky was being moved to Starship and I couldn't believe it. She was panicking and told me: 'Our boy's not right'. He had a cardiac arrest and by 6pm he was gone."

Miss Matson said the family had been told Mark's death was the result of a strand of the flu, but that he had also suffered pneumonia.

She said there were no signs leading up to her nephew's death that showed it was nothing more than a sore back. And the fact that he was seen by a doctor and given painkillers a day before his death was even more upsetting, she said.

"I've questioned those painkillers and how they affected him," Miss Matson said. "But Marky's death has taught me - for all of us - to not hold any grudges. He was an inspiring kid."

Principal Bruce Dale paid tribute to the youngster, who loved video games and V8 cars, saying he was a well-liked pupil.

"He was involved in everything at school. He never got angry. He was just a nice boy from a loving family."

Mr Dale said the school was devastated to lose a pupil and particularly because Mark's death was so sudden.

"We had a very special ceremony for Mark, it was a huge funeral. The kids took part, there were a lot of tears, and it was a very special ceremony."

Miss Matson said the family were missing "our boy", who had a knack for calming down distressed babies and was adored by his 3-year-old brother George.

"He had a gentle heart, he really did. He'd go to the shops and call me from there asking, 'Aunty, you want me to grab you anything?'

"On his birthday he was never the type to want anything big - parties or presents - just a cake."

On Wednesday, a kauri was planted between the two classrooms Mark had been in during his time at the school. Ms Matson said: "A good, strong tree. It will grow big and strong, just like Marky was."