A girl aged three died during a family holiday – just hours after falling ill.
Lavae DaSilva was playing happily with family and friends on the island of Cayo Coco in Cuba when she complained that she felt hot and had stomach pains.
Within 12 hours she had died of blood poisoning in a medical centre with mum Nicola at her side.
Nicola, 39, of Lindale Avenue, New Moston, told how Lavae mumbled ‘Mummy’ just before she died.
Heartbroken Nicola said: “I just held her and lay with her for hours.”
She added: “I feel like my heart has stopped beating. When I go to sleep and then wake up I think I can’t go through a whole day again. I’m devastated. I just feel empty. Lavae was a happy, outgoing, independent girl. She was very
creative and she was very girly – she loved glitter and she loved anything pink. We all can’t believe what’s happened.”
Nicola, who has two sons, told how Lavae had been her usual self hours before the tragedy. But in the early hours she began to feel unwell. She was then sick and, when her condition deteriorated, Nicola called a doctor.
Lavae was given an anti-sickness injection but became lethargic and disorientated. An ambulance was called to take her to a medical centre but she died later that day.
Lavae, who attended nursery at New Moston primary school, was flown home from Cuba following the New Year’s Day tragedy. A post-mortem confirmed that septicaemia – or blood poisoning – was the cause of her death.
But experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Meningitis UK believe she may have had meningococcal septicaemia – a type of blood poisoning caused by the same type of bacteria that causes meningitis.
Lavae’s funeral was due to take place at St John Bosco church in Higher Blackley today.
Friends are raising money for ‘DNA into Diamonds’ which will take Lavae and Nicola’s DNA and turn it into a diamond pendant for a keepsake.
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Such a looking beautiful girl, may she rest in peace, and I offer my thoghts and prayers for her poor devoted mother,
How awful. I do not know how I would cope if I was to lose my children at such a young age. RIP Lavae x
To Nicola and family thinking of you at this devastating time hold on to the lovely memories of the beautiful moments you had with your lovely beautiful daughter. REST IN PEACE LAVAE xxxxx.love Julie Seamus & Joshua xxx
tragic... rest in peace sweety
How tragic, god has taken another beautiful angel. RIP princess xxxx
Such a sad story..R.I.P little Angel xx deepest sympthay to her mummy x
How incredibly sad, my sincere condolences and best wishes to Nicola and her family and hope some day they manage to come to terms with this awful tragedy, rest in peace Lavae.
Absoluteley gutted for you little one.
So heartbreaking RIP Lavae,God Bless Nicola.
Taken too soon, my thoughts are with you and the boys Nicola,i understand every emotion you will be feeling, the brightest star is now shining in the sky ,goodnight god bless Lavae xxx
So sorry for your loss Nicola family and friends. What a beautiful girl and picture of you
together. This is just an awful beyonds words. RIP Lavae.x
so sorry for your loss nicola and family x x R.I.P. Lavae x x May the angels be with you always x x
R.I.P Lavae... beautiful little angel xxx
My deepest sympathy is with you Nicola and family.
I lost my daughter Lexie in 2007 to meningocal septicemia just 3days before her first birthday in the same way lavae lost her life lexie did.
The disease is rapid it just takes over its horrendous and the way poor you (Nicola) is feeling is far too much the pain is agonising i really do know.
The only way through this now is to appreciate all the special memories you have with her cos they can never ever be taken away...
lots n lots n lots of love chelsea xxx
Terrible Terrible news , God always take the wrong ones and allows evil vermin to live on. R.I.P X
Type your comment here...Nicola my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family RIP Lavae
Nicola. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Rest in peace Lavae
It doesn't matter how good looking you are, God bless you baby.
RIP Lavae. I would see you on your way into school most days and you always caught my eye. You were so beautiful with curly hair and a cheeky smile, you stood out from the crowd. I am truly devestated by this story. I can not begin to know how devestated you must be feeling Nicola. Everyone at school is thinking of you and your boys. I hope in time you will be able to smile again as you remember the time you spent together. Heaven has taken another Angel.
So very sad,Rest in Peace Sweetheart.
Such a sad story. Another Diamond taken away from a lovely, caring family.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you all at this heartbreaking time...May Lavae's star shine so bright in the heavenly sky, each and everytime you think of her Nicola.
R.I.P Beautiful Angel xoxo
Love sent from all The Sampson Crew xoxo