'Thank you for being there to keep myself and my daughter safe

TRIBUTES TO CITY BOUNCER WHO DIED A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

- STEPHANIE BALLOO

David Monteiro died of meningitis

A BIRMINGHAM bouncer has been praised for 'keeping people safe' in the city after his sudden death a week before Christmas.

David Monteiro, a security guard in Digbeth, should have been celebrating his 40th birthday with a big party on New Year's Day. Instead, his grieving family are now raising urgent awareness of the devastating illness that claimed his life.

The 39-year-old had put common symptoms like back pain and a stiff neck down to 'sleeping awkwardly' and, tragically, within a few days he died from meningitis.

He “very suddenly” developed a swelling on the brain and suffered a seizure. This led to him being placed into a coma at Heartlands Hospital where he passed away.