'He was a big strong lad... I could never have imagined a fly bite could come to this'

A YOUNG farm worker died just weeks after he was bitten by a fly.

- By SOPHIE DOUGHTY

Andrew Kane's loved ones are struggling to come to terms with their shock loss after the strong and healthy 31-year-old passed away in hospital.

Andrew's mum, Rachel Kane, said her son was bitten on the elbow by a horsefly while working away.

He was initially given antibiotics by his doctor and did not seem to have suffered any adverse reaction.

But around two weeks later, Andrew, from Northumberland, collapsed while on a night out.

He was taken to hospital where it was discovered he had developed sepsis.

Andrew spent weeks in a coma before slipping away with his devoted mum by his side, on September 18.

And now, as she prepares to lay her beloved son to rest, Rachel has told The Chronicle of her shock at the way he died and paid tribute to her boy.

The 52-year-old said: “He was a big strong lad. I could never have imagined that a fly bite could come to this. It’s been horrendous.

“He just started to go downhill very quickly. I was with him right to the end.

“I feel really broken. I keep going through things in my mind. I don’t feel like it’s real. I don’t think it’s hit me. I just feel really lost.”