'Bubbly' little boy lost to Strep A

Inquest hears six-year-old died just two days after becoming unwell

- CHRIS SLATER

AN 'affectionate and bubbly' little boy died after contracting Strep A. Lucas Charles Hurst, six, tragically passed away on July 17 last year.

His mother Rachel Lee had taken him to their GP and A&E, two days after he developed a cough and a fever.

He was diagnosed, an inquest in Manchester heard, with a viral infection and was sent home in the early hours.

Lucas was rushed back to Wythenshawe Hospital the following day having become 'profoundly unwell.

Sadly, he went into cardiac arrest and couldn't be resuscitated.

Manchester Coroners' Court later heard he was found to have developed pneumonia and sepsis following a 'rare, severe and invasive bacterial commonly known as Strep A. Lucas’ death was ‘not avoidable’, a hospital review found.

A coroner concluded he died of ‘natural causes’.

Following the hearing, Ms Lee said: “Lucas was an affectionate and bubbly little boy, who loved making friends and talking to people everywhere he went. He will be missed by all of his family and friends, as well as his teachers at school.”

Assistant coroner John Hobson heard Lucas began to feel unwell some time on July 12 or 13 last year. Ms Lee rang Conway Road Medical Practice in Sale, on the morning of July 15.