Spotlight on teen’s legacy after camping trip death
The unexpected death of a 16-year-old boy could be a catalyst for change as a little-known and potentially fatal allergy becomes increasingly common in Australia.
Jeremy Webb had trouble breathing after eating a dinner of beef sausages while camping with three friends on the NSW Central Coast on June 10, 2024.
His friends tried to revive him after he fainted, but the asthmatic teenager was pronounced dead after midnight.
Experts at the forensic inquest into Mr Webb’s death agree that he died from a combination of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis and an acute asthma attack.
The role of his last meal in his death is being investigated by the inquest after the teenager was diagnosed with a red meat allergy, which can be triggered by multiple tick bites, after his death.
Jeremy’s mother, Myfanwy Webb, told the inquest that she and her husband had struggled with a lot of guilt and “what if” questions since the teenager’s sudden death, but ultimately no one was to blame.
“Jeremy’s passing was not the fault of any individual, but rather the confluence of many things that no one could have predicted,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
“Jeremy would welcome greater awareness of the issues surrounding his death in the medical and wider community, which will help save lives.”
Mammal meat allergy can take up to five hours to manifest after eating red meat, with symptoms such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, hives, bloating, or anaphylaxis.
There has been a 40 per cent increase in diagnoses in Australia each year since 2020, with the Sydney basin becoming a global hotspot, the inquiry was previously told.
An allergist told the inquest that Mr Webb had probably had the disease since childhood, based on his asthma, numerous tick bites and allergy symptoms that occurred after eating red meat.
But the disease, which remained undiagnosed during his lifetime, had not slowed him down, Dr Webb told the inquest poignantly.
“He had a great sense of fun and adventure and enjoyed life to the brim,” she said, wiping away tears.
“He didn’t waste a moment living.”
A six-minute slideshow set to soulful music captured highlights of Mr. Webb skateboarding, cycling, surfing and mastering karate with family and friends.
Dr Webb said he felt privileged to have enjoyed almost 17 years with his extraordinary and caring son.
“I miss him so much and think about him every day,” he told the coroner.
“I may never be able to hug him again, but he was and always will be an integral part of my life.”
The inquest is considering the adequacy of Mr Webb’s medical treatment, the role anaphylaxis played in his death and whether his condition could have been prevented by a more thorough investigation.
It will start again on November 28.
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