Adelaide man Luke Wingfield dies from meningococcal and becomes first in South Australia to be killed by disease in 2023

A woman has accused paramedics of ignoring her brother’s call for help before he became the first person to die of meningococcal disease in South Australia this year.

Luke Wingfield, 36, started feeling ill last weekend before waking up with a fever at his home in Ferryden Park, north-west Adelaide, on Tuesday morning.

Mr. Wingdield’s cousins, who lived with him, thought he would recover from his initial flu-like symptoms.

The family called an ambulance on Tuesday morning after Mr Wingfield’s condition escalated and he was unable to get out of bed.

The 36-year-old (left) initially had flu-like symptoms before his condition quickly deteriorated and family called an ambulance

His sister Tania Wingfield claimed the paramedics refused to pick up her brother because his symptoms were not “severe.”

“He got so unwell and family, my dad, my brother and sister said he couldn’t get out of bed,” Ms Wingfield told The advertiser.

“He packed his bag and everything, but the first paramedics refused to take him because they said his symptoms were not serious.”

Ms Wingfield said her brother was eventually picked up by an ambulance and taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital after he collapsed from a seizure.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENINGOCOKES?

Meningococci can cause a red-purple rash (pictured)

-Fever Lack of appetite

– Leg pain

– Unusual skin color

– Extreme fatigue

– Vomiting and diarrhoea

– Drowsiness Convulsions, fits or twitching

– Red-purple rash

Source: Ministry of Health

Mr Wingfield’s family rushed from Port Augusta, about 200 miles north of Adelaide, to hospital after his condition rapidly deteriorated.

On Wednesday evening, less than 48 hours after Wingfield arrived at the hospital, the 36-year-old died after his family made the difficult decision to cut his life support.

Ms Wingfield said her family were ‘absolutely heartbroken’ and described her brother as a ‘beautiful person’.

“Luke was a very quiet, humble, gentle giant who had great love and respect for everyone who crossed his path,” she said.

“You hardly heard him curse, he treated his brothers and his father like kings and he treated us sisters and our mother and nieces like queens.”

She said 9News her brother was a healthy and lively man who exercised, did not smoke and did not use drugs.

Mr Wingfield worked at the Carapateena mines, 100 miles north of Port Augusta, and is the first person to die of meningococcal B in South Australia in 2023.

The state has recorded 16 cases of the disease since January 2023 — more than last year’s total of 14 cases.

Since 2018, the meningococcal B strain vaccine in South Australia has been free for some groups.

Ms Wingfield urged Aussies to seek medical attention even if they don’t think their symptoms are serious.

“Whether you think it’s not serious or not, please, please get help, because I wouldn’t want this, don’t wish this on anyone,” Ms Wingfield told 9News.

South Australia Ambulance Service has confirmed that there will be an internal inquiry into Mr Wingfield’s case.

Meningococcal disease is a rare and serious disease caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

Mr Wingfield died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (pictured) less than 48 hours after waking up with a fever. His family claims their initial call for help was rejected by paramedics because his symptoms were not “severe.”

Family described Mr. Wingfield as a ‘gentle giant’ who treated the men in his family as kings and the women as queens

The bacteria can cause blood infections and even meningitis – an infection of the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, lack of appetite, drowsiness, leg pain, lack of energy, and seizures or convulsions.

Younger people who get meningococcus may develop a rash that does not go away when pressed with a clear glass.

Anyone who thinks they or a loved one has meningococcal disease is urged to seek immediate medical attention.