Fit teenager's sudden death

Liam Enese was a fit, healthy teenager.

The local community is rallying around relatives of a teen who died suddenly just days after his parents took him to the doctors complaining of a chill.

Liam Enese, 16, died in a Gold Coast hospital last week, just a few days after being admitted with what doctors believe were complications of pneumonia. Now family on both sides of the Tasman are grieving the loss of a sport-loving teen who was caring and always thought of others.

Liam's mum Sarah grew up in Reporoa while his dad Tony is an ex-Rotorua Boys' High School student. The family lived in Rotorua before moving to Australia more than a decade ago.

Close family friend Tracey Heads said the family still had a lot of relatives in the area who were pulling together to support each other.

She said they were planning a service in Reporoa tomorrow at Liam's great-nan's house.

Liam's mum had been in Reporoa visiting relatives in the days before he got sick.

"It happened so quickly. Last Monday doctors sent him home with antibiotics, Sarah flew back Tuesday and noticed he was still not looking right so took him back and he didn't come out of hospital," Ms Heads said.

She said the "horrendous virus" attacked Liam's organs and he was put on bypass machines to give them a break "but it was just too aggressive".

Ms Heads said the family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off the machines on Friday night. Liam was a fit and healthy teenager who loved all sports, she said.

"It was just bad luck."

While Liam was young when he moved to Australia and it was his home, he knew he was from the Rotorua and Reporoa areas and had been back "heaps", she said.

"The wider family have taken it harder because it happened so quick. His mum is thinking of everyone else before herself and Liam was exactly the same."

Ms Heads said she would remember Liam as incredibly caring, but also cheeky.

"He would give you the shirt off his back for you to stay warm. He was cheeky, but never disrespectful."

Ms Heads said what upset them the most was that it always happened to the good kids.

"This is what we are all struggling with. Why him?"

Ms Heads said tomorrow's service was a way for those who couldn't afford to travel to his funeral in Australia to get together and remember him, and support extended family.

The service is being held at 3691 State Highway 5 at 1pm. All are welcome.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported the area was in the midst of a significant influenza outbreak which had left a disproportionate number of teens with pneumonia.