Townsville boy Andre Daisy dies from meningitis after sore tummy, headache symptoms in Brisbane

A young boy who died after his family spent a dream holiday in Queensland tragically lost his life just days after complaining about a sore tummy and headache.

Andre Daisy, five, was in Brisbane with his mum Trudy Stanley-Thaiday, step-dad Jarick and his three sisters on February 1 when he came down with flu-like symptoms on the last night of their holiday. 

The following day, Andre woke up with a headache and vomited but acted like his ‘normal happy little self’ with his mum believing he was suffering from a common ‘tummy bug’. 

The family started their car ride home to Townsville but it wasn’t until about 2pm as they were close to Gladstone when Andre suffered a seizure. 

Andre Daisy, 5, died from severe meningitis encephalitis four days after having flu-like symptoms

His parents pulled over the car and immediately called the ambulance, however by the time he arrived at the hospital his seizures had increased and doctors placed him in an induced coma to allow his body to rest. 

An hour later doctors made the decision to airlift Andre more than 560km to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. 

Andre arrived at the children’s hospital at 11pm on Thursday night, with his family told he would make a recovery after promising MRI results showed he was stable. 

However, Andre sadly did not respond despite an attempt by doctors to alleviate the swelling and pressure on his brain. 

On Saturday morning, doctors confirmed his family’s worst fears and said there was nothing else they could do to save the little boy. 

At 5:45am on Sunday, Andre took his final breath – just one day before his first day of school. 

Andre’s mother Trudy and his step-father Jarick along with his father Larson Daisy and his step-mother Lana were by his side in his final moments. 

Andre’s mum Trudy thought her son had a ‘tummy bug’ as he was his ‘normal happy little self’ despite having a headache and vomiting on the morning of their last day in Brisbane

His step-mum’s brother Shaneen McCann started a GofundMe page for the little boy and said both sets of parents held his hand while he passed away. 

‘Andre was surrounded by so many of his family in hospital, many of whom travelled to be by his side,’ Mr McCann wrote. 

‘He was bathed, dressed, held, talked to, had his hair done, sung to, was given toys and treats while we all prayed for a miracle. 

‘Andre passed away peacefully, still connected to life support, taking any decisions out of his families’ hands. 

‘He got to see a new day dawn and was watching the sunrise while being held by both sets of his parents and other family. With their hands on his chest, they felt Andre’s last heartbeats and spent their final day cuddling him.’

Mr McCann said Andre used to joke around with different sayings and jokingly told his mother ‘when God comes knocking, you better let him in’ two weeks prior to his death. 

At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page has received 171 donations totalling $17,710, with funds assisting Lana and Larson’s share of funeral expenses, travel costs and ongoing financial support. 

‘He will be incredibly missed by both sets of parents, both sets of siblings, and every heart he touched. May he rest in eternal peace,’ Mr McCann wrote. 

Andre suffered a seizer in the car ride home and was taken to hospital in Gladstone before his condition worsened and he was airlifted to Queensland Children’s Hospital (pictured Andre with his mum Trudy and step-dad Jarick)

Andre tragically died on February 5. His family’s are raising funds to have his body transported back home to lay him to rest (pictured, Andre with his father Larson Daisy and step-mum Lana)

Andre’s aunty Michaela Napier described her nephew as a ‘sweet’ and ‘kind-hearted’ boy who loved playing video games and always made people laugh. 

Ms Napier also started a GoFundMe page so her sister Trudy can bring Andre home and lay him to rest in Townsville. 

It is estimated that transporting Andre’s body from Brisbane to Townsville will cost roughly $11,000. 

‘He had no other symptoms he had nothing, by the time anyone knew something was wrong with him it was too late to do anything to save him,’ Ms Napier wrote. 

‘Because of how unexpectedly this was, we are now left struggling on how we are going to pay for all expense. 

‘I couldn’t imagine the pain my sister is in and there is nothing I can do to help. So making this page is my way of helping her so this is one thing she doesn’t have to worry about.’

Ms Napier’s GoFundMe page has received 78 donations totalling $7,865 and aims to reach $10,000.