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The family of a 13-year-old girl who died of the flu in Victoria last week has shared their heartbreak at the shocking news.

Crystal-Lee Wightley died at home just three days after falling ill on Tuesday night with typical symptoms including a fever, body aches and an intermittent cough.

Her mother Dymanty Fulham had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Crystal-Lee on Friday morning, but she found the schoolgirl unconscious in her bedroom early that morning.

She called triple-0 but paramedics could not revive her daughter, and she was pronounced dead at her home in the rural township of Baxter, on the Mornington Peninsula.

“We are all shattered, everyone is mourning,” Crystal-Lee’s aunt, Yvette Southgate, told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“None of us thought we needed to go to the hospital, she was perfectly healthy and was giggling and laughing with her cousins days before.

“Crystal wasn’t showing signs this was coming, but this was deadly.

“We are in a fair bit of denial — it seems so impossible, it shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”

Crystal-Lee, who was a fit and healthy teen and dreamt of playing AFLW, was remembered as “divine and full of sunshine”.

“She was a happy soul, just a delight,” Mrs Southgate said.

Crystal-Lee’s brothers and grandmother Pam also had flu-like symptoms in the weeks before but recovered.

Our thoughts are with the family.

Last week we shared the story of a WA family who have been left heartbroken after their two year old son died following a battle with Influenza A. Read more here…

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  • For years and years, I never thought catching the flu was too bad. I always thought it was just a bit worse then a cold. How wrong was I?

    Reply

  • So tragic, so sudden. Seems the girl should have been taken to hospital when symptoms first appeared but her parents would not have known that. The symptoms are common with other medical problems and other family members had recovered. The end result would not have been suspected

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  • Words cannot express the sadness of losing a child. My thoughts are with the family. So very very sad.

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  • So sad I hope her family is getting the support they need. RIP

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  • My oldest is 13, I can’t stand to think of the pain the family is going through. Very scary that anyone can go just like that from what can seem like just another flu that you get over. R.I.P. beautiful one.

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  • truly heartbreaking, so touched by this story as I have a daughter about her age and I could not imagine going into her room and finding her unconscious.

    sending love and strength to her family and friends :(

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  • There are no words, so sorry beautiful angel. We send love to your family.

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  • Sad to hear about another death

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  • This year the flu has been terrible. I can’t even imagine what they are going through. Poor girl. It makes me so sad. :-(

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  • I heard about this. Is so horrible for this family.

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  • Condolences to the family and friends :(

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  • This is absolutely heartbreaking. Thoughts are with the family.

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  • I cant imagine what that family are going through right now. My heart brakes for them.

    Reply

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