Wellington schoolgirl Amanda Crook-Barker, who died from meningococcal disease just two hours after developing a rash, is to be farewelled today.
A funeral will be held at the 12-year-old's school, Evans Bay Intermediate, where her family and school mates will gather to remember a kind-hearted girl taken too soon.
Her mother Lisa Crook said earlier this week that her daughter had been sick on Monday morning and she called an ambulance after a rash appeared about 3pm. Amanda died about 5pm.
"You'd think there would be warning, but there was just nothing," she told media.
"Even once she got to hospital and got antibiotics, she was talking. We thought she was coming right. [Then] her heart, I think, just gave in."
Friends and family paid tribute to Amanda online.
Her neighbour, Fiona Solomon, wrote: "I will miss seeing your head of curls bouncing past our fence each afternoon... we will miss you terribly".
Meanwhile, Auckland health authorities say there have been five confirmed cases of meningococcal disease in the last week.
There were 13 deaths from meningococcal disease nationally last year.
Meningococcal disease shows flu-like symptoms that quickly get worse - sometimes in a matter of hours or within two to three days.
Symptoms may include a fever, confusion, sleepiness, dislike of bright lights, stiff neck, joint pain and a rash. Children and babies may also refuse feeds, can be floppy and vomit.
NZN