Spilt Milk music festival meningococcal death: Ally Behan, 18, dies in Canberra ... trends now
The harrowing final moments of a teenage girl who died from meningococcol after attending a music festival have been revealed after her heartbroken parents made the agonising decision to switch off her life support at the weekend.
Ally Behan, 18, had her whole life ahead of her and was waiting for her final exam results after graduating from Ulladulla High School, on NSW's South Coast, when she headed to the Spilt Milk music festival in Canberra on November 26.
But just days after returning to her home in the tight-knit coastal town of Manyana, Ms Behan started experiencing gastro-like symptoms, which quickly turned into something more sinister.
'She couldn't stop vomiting and then she lost movement in her legs,' a family friend told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Behan's mum rushed her to Canberra Hospital but her condition quickly deteriorated and was on life life support last week.
'Unfortunately she had a seizure,' the family friend said.
By Sunday, Ms Behan was showing no brain activity, with her parents forced to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support.
She died shortly after with NSW Health confirming the 18-year-old's death on Monday.
Ally Behan (above) died on Sunday from meningococcal after attending Canberra's Spilt Milk music festival on November 26
Ms Behan was celebrating the end of school and waiting for her exam results before she contacted the horrible disease
A family member, who didn't want to be named, paid tribute to Ally as an incredible young woman.
'She was just full of life, a vibrant young girl,' the relative told Daily Mail Australia.
A NSW Education Department spokeswoman also offered their condolences to Ms Behan's family on Tuesday.
'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a Year 12 graduate from Ulladulla High School,' the spokeswoman said.
'Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies are with her family and the broader school community.
'Additional counselling and wellbeing support for all students and staff affected will be provided during this difficult time.'
Organisers of Spilt Milk issued a warning on Saturday that an attendee had contracted meningococcal and was receiving treatment in Canberra.
'This Year 12 school leaver, she had the rest of her life ahead of her and it's a vaccine preventable disease,' Meningitis Centre Australia chief executive officer Karen Quick said on Monday.
