Bailey Shrimpton, aged 10, from Somerset, came home from school with stomach pain and was later sick before he died a few days later after his condition suddenly worsened
A heartbroken family have told how they believed a 10-year-old son had a stomach bug after talking to doctors but he later deteriorated and died.
Bailey Shrimpton from Crewkerne, Somerset, came home from school on Thursday, October 23, complaining of stomach pain and later began vomiting. Over the course of four days, Bailey’s condition worsened before he tragically died in hospital on the following Monday. His distraught family have now said they “have more questions than answers” following the youngsters death.
They said how Bailey “still seemed cheerful – happily playing Xbox with his friends” after being sick and they hoped it was just a bug that would pass so they made sure he drank plenty of water.
Then on the following day, the Friday, Bailey was still unwell and the vomiting continued. “We kept him hydrated throughout the day, still thinking it was a virus, especially since he was chatting with friends, watching YouTube, and seemed himself,” said a GoFundMe page set up by the family.
It was on the Saturday when Bailey was still unable to eat anything that they the family sought medical advice by calling 111 and they were told to take him to Yeovil A&E.
The post said: “We spent around five hours there while Bailey was put on fluids, had blood tests, and received anti-sickness medication. Although his infection markers were raised, we were told it was likely a viral infection and were sent home with a leaflet.”
Bailey seemed to get “a little better” when they returned home, the family said, and he managed to keep fluids down until he began vomiting at around 1am on Sunday, October 26. They said that, “following the hospital’s advice” they believed the infection was running its course.
“Throughout Sunday, he continued to have stomach pain, but he looked brighter and kept reassuring us, saying he was fine and that we shouldn’t worry,” the post said. But during the night Bailey’s sister called for help when he was sick in bed.
His family wrote: “What we saw next will stay with us forever — his skin was mottled and blue. We knew instantly that something was terribly wrong and called 999. Moments later, Bailey told us he couldn’t feel his body and couldn’t see anything — those were his final words. He began to seize and then stopped breathing.”
Bailey’s stepdad began performing CPR following instructions from the 999 operator, followed by Bailey’s mum Charly when he became exhausted. They continued until paramedics arrived, who worked to get Bailey breathing again while he was transported to an air ambulance in Crewkerne, before being flown to Southampton Hospital.
“Miraculously, they managed to restart his heart, and we were taken there by police escort,” the post continued, but tragically, after undergoing scans and tests at the hospital, doctors told Bailey’s family his brain showed no activity and his organs failed.
“We were given time to say our goodbyes,” they said. “Surrounded by his family — mum Charly, stepdad Ash, dad Andrew, and his partner Tash — we held him close as the machines were turned off. We felt his heart stop, and in that moment, our world shattered.
“Bailey had the biggest smile, the kindest heart, and an imagination that could fill the whole world. He loved spending time with his Dad at weekends and holidays, playing Xbox with his friends, going to truck shows, spending time with his siblings George (his brother age 4), Harper (sister age 6), Bella (sister 8), Kayla (8 years old the day Bailey passed away), Layla (sister 10) , Demi (sister 13), Abbie (sister 15) and he made every day brighter just by being himself.
“We have more questions than answers right now and will update everyone as we learn more. Coming home without him has been unbearable. His little sister Harper, who’s only six, is staying with her dad for now, as she’s finding it too difficult to be at home.
“We’re trying our best to stay strong for our family, but this has been the hardest thing imaginable. No one ever prepares for losing a child — or for the cost of saying goodbye. We never thought we’d have to ask for help, but we want to give Bailey the beautiful send-off he deserves.”
