‘Fit and healthy’ wrestler, 19, dies from Covid just a day after telling mum he was ‘fine’
A TEENAGE wrestler has died from Covid-19 just a day after telling his mum he felt “fine”.
Cameron Wellington, from Walsall, West Midlands, caught the virus last Tuesday.
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The 19-year-old tested positive for the bug after his dad Norman also caught it, Birmingham Live reported.
He told his mum Jane he felt fine on Wednesday – but he died just 24 hours later.
His mum said Cameron was “fit and healthy” before his diagnosis.
He initially had a cough but as his condition quickly deteriorated on Thursday he was rushed to hospital.
One he arrived at Walsall Manor Hospital, doctors found that his oxygen levels had dropped and his breathing had slowed down.
After dropping her son off, Jane – a mum-of-six – was called by a hospital worker and told that Cameron “wasn’t expected to last an hour”.
Surgeons operated on his lungs before he was taken to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester for specialist treatment.
An operation began on the youngster’s heart on Thursday but he died shortly afterwards – just two days after his positive test.
His parents said Cameron was a skilled wrestler and a talented artist with a “cracking career” in front of him.
They have begged others to “take the virus seriously”.
Jane said: “The whole situation has come as a massive shock to us. Cam was overweight but he was fit and otherwise healthy.
“At first Cam had a cough, but his condition quickly got worse. Cam was adamant he was fine but I could tell – the colour was draining from him.
“We as a family are totally heartbroken and yet immensely proud of him. He put up a massive fight.”
HEARTBROKEN FAMILY
Jane said her son was in talks to travel to Japan and wrestle before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Dad Norman said: “He was a bubbly, bright, happy person. Everyone warmed to him.
“I just want him back.”
Devastated pals paid tribute to Cameron on social media.
Friend Matt Powell wrote on Facebook: “I am completely numb but need to pay tribute to a warrior. RIP to my mate Cam Wellington.
“Cam was a bright, loyal, wonderful young man, who said what he saw and said what he felt. He was one of the lads, partied has hard as he wrestled, a throwback to a better time.
“He was an amazing wrestler.”
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Mum Jane posted: “He was a special lad and will always be missed.
“Please don’t remember him with sadness. Remember him with a smile and a cheeky grin.”
A GoFundMe page is raising money to pay for Cameron’s funeral.