Tragedy as popular teenage girl Ray Williams suddenly dies – leaving her grieving family and tight-knit community in disbelief

The sudden death of a teenage girl with the “goodest heart” has rocked a regional town as the close-knit community rallies around her grieving family.

Ray Williams, an 18-year-old who worked at the local pub in Nyngan, a two-hour drive north-west of Dubbo, was taken to hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms on Monday morning before her health suddenly deteriorated.

Her brother, Mitchell, told Daily Mail Australia that their mother, Lisa, had wanted to take Ray to Nyngan Hospital’s emergency department the day before, but she refused and said she was fine.

“Mom literally had to drag her to the hospital Monday morning because she was so worried, and then everything happened so quickly,” Mitchell said.

‘Ray seemed to be getting better when I got to hospital, but when they went to move her to get to the helicopter, things went wrong and she sadly passed away that afternoon.

‘She had been resuscitated twice and the hospital and rescue team did everything they could to save her, but unfortunately she was septic.’

He said the coroner was now determining his sister’s cause of death.

However, it is suspected that Ray – who was known for her cheeky smile and selfless nature – had meningococcal disease which led to the sepsis.

Mitchell Williams is pictured with sister Ray at the Duck Creek picnic races in July this year

Mitchell, who works on the Nyngan High School wellbeing team, said his sister was ‘always smiling’ and ‘always up for a chat’ before her sudden death.

“She was the type of person who always went out of her way for other people and did whatever she could to help,” he said.

“Even when she was sick in the hospital, the only thing she worried about was telling her boss she wouldn’t be able to come to work that night.

“She had the kindest heart and was loved by everyone who was lucky enough to be in her life.”

He said the support from their close-knit community of about 2,000 people had comforted his family.

“This one gesture broke me in a good way,” Mitchell said.

‘A Year 8 student at my school left flowers, chocolates and a note on my front door to say she was sorry for our loss.

“This girl knew Ray from the dance classes they took together.”

Ray is pictured on her 18th birthday in January with her aunt Bobbi, grandma Gwen and mother Lisa

Mitchell started with one GoFundMe page to help the family pay for unexpected funeral and memorial costs, with just over $32,000 raised at the time of writing.

“She brought so much love and light into our lives and our family is devastated by this tragedy,” Mitchell wrote of the campaign.

‘Any support would mean a lot to us during this difficult time.

“Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”

The funeral still needs to be arranged.