The sudden death of a teenage girl with the kindest heart has rocked a regional town as the tight-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 the Emergency Department at Nyngan hospital the day before, but she refused, saying she was fine.
Mum literally had to drag her to the hospital on Monday morning because she was so worried, then everything happened so quickly, Mitchell said.
Ray seemed as though she was getting better when I arrived at the hospital, then when they went to move her to go to the helicopter, things took a bad turn and she sadly passed away that afternoon.
She had been revived twice, and the hospital and retrieval team did everything they could to save her, but unfortunately she was septic.
He said the coroner was now determining the cause of his sisters death.
However, its suspected Ray – who was known for her cheeky smile and selfless nature – may have had meningococcal that led to the sepsis.
Ray Williams, who worked at the local pub in Nyngan, died at the age of 18 on Monday
Mitchell Williams is pictured with sister Ray at the Duck Creek picnic races in July this year
Mitchell, who woks in the wellbeing team at Nyngan High School, said his sister was always smiling and always up for a yarn before her sudden death.
She was the type of person who always went out of their way for other people, going above and beyond to help, he said.
Even when she was sick in hospital, all she was worried about was telling her boss she wouldnt be able to make it 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 outpouring of support from their tightknit community of about 2,000 people, had comforted his family.
This one particular gesture broke me in a good way, Mitchell said.
A Year 8 student at my school left flowers, chocolates and a note at my front door to say she was sorry for our loss.
This girl knew Ray from the dance classes they did together.
Ray is pictured on her 18th birthday in January with her aunt Bobbi, nan Gwen and mum Lisa
Mitchell has started a GoFundMe page to help the family meet the unexpected funeral and memorial costs with just over $32,000 raised at time of writing.
She brought so much love and light into our lives and our family is devastated by this tragedy, Mitchell wrote on the campaign.
Any support would mean the world to us as we navigate this difficult time.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be arranged.