The family of Lewis Waters, a sixth-form student at The Henley College in Oxfordshire, has paid tribute to the teenager following his death from meningitis earlier this week.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, his relatives described him as "a funny, kind-hearted soul" while expressing their profound grief.
"Words simply can't describe the heartbreak and upset we're going through," the family stated.
His loved ones said they were "devastated" by the sudden loss of the college pupil, whose death has prompted a public health response across the region.
Lewis Waters died from the infection after rapidly developing sepsis
|FAMILY PHOTO
Lewis's father Sean revealed how swiftly the illness took hold, explaining that his son went from feeling slightly unwell to developing sepsis within just hours.
"He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team, but they just couldn't save him," Sean wrote in his tribute.
"We are absolutely devastated."
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The teenager received treatment in intensive care, where medical staff worked to save his life, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.
Two other teenagers are currently receiving treatment for the same illness, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
One pupil attends Reading Blue Coat School, whilst the other is enrolled at Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre in Reading.
Health officials confirmed on Thursday that they had established a social connection linking all three young people affected by meningitis.
A pupil enrolled at Reading Blue Coat School is being treated for meningitis
|RBCS
As a precautionary measure, antibiotics are being provided to individuals who had close contact with any of the three cases.
The Henley College stated it was following UKHSA guidance and providing support to members of its community affected by the tragedy.
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