Student's sudden death

Penelope Lake. Photo / Facebook

A 19-year-old who died from meningococcal disease has been described as a future leader who inspired a lot of people. Penelope Lake died in Wellington Hospital on Wednesday after becoming unwell the day before.

Her kung fu instructor Dave Clarke said she was a talented student and martial artist, and described her as like his "second daughter".

The Victoria University student had been training in kung fu since she was 14 and had become a role model.

"She got a lot of young girls into the sport," said Clarke. "They did it because she did it."

Penelope received her black belt last year. Her club was preparing for a tournament over Queen's Birthday weekend and it was her turn to help with teaching yesterday.

"She was looking forward to it and never made it," said Clarke.

Penelope was extremely fit and healthy. The only sign of ill health was a text message she had sent on Monday saying she was tired and would miss class.

"It can strike anyone. I have no idea where she could have got it from," said Clarke.

"How can someone be so fit and healthy one minute and gone the next?"

Clarke said Penelope was also successful in her studies. "She would have been a future leader - she was going places."

He had visited her family to offer his condolences.

"Nobody should lose a child - it's a tragedy really."

Penelope's family were too upset to comment yesterday but paid tribute in a newspaper public notice saying: "Penelope loved dark purple so if you would like to, please wear something purple [to the funeral]."

Wellington Regional Public Health medical health officer Dr Jill McKenzie said Penelope became unwell on Tuesday.

Despite receiving immediate treatment and antibiotics in the intensive care unit at Wellington Hospital, she did not recover. There had been no further related incidents of meningococcal infection.