Teenage Boy Dies of Meningitis in Oxfordshire; Two Other Pupils Treated

A teenage boy who died from meningitis drew tributes from his family as a "funny, kind hearted soul." Lewis Waters, a sixth-form pupil at The Henley College in Oxfordshire, died earlier this week from the infection.

His family posted a tribute on Facebook, saying they were "devastated" and "words simply can't describe the heartbreak and upset we're going through."

Lewis's father, Sean Waters, wrote: "Within a few hours of feeling a bit ill he developed sepsis and was taken from us. He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team but they just couldn't save him."

The UK Health Security Agency said two other pupils, one from Reading Blue Coat School and another from Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre in Reading, are receiving treatment for meningitis.

On Thursday, the agency announced it had identified a social network connecting Lewis and the two young people. Close contacts of all three are being offered antibiotics as a precaution.

One case has been confirmed as Meningitis B, known as MenB, with tests pending on the other two. The agency confirmed this is not the same strain linked to MenB outbreaks earlier this year.

A statement from Henley College said its "thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

"We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UKHSA," the statement added.