Norwich mum's message 10 years after son died at Latitude

The 18-year-old from Norwich tragically fell ill while attending the Southwold music festival, was airlifted to hospital, and died just hours later.

The young reveller, who attended the event every year, initially wrote his illness off as a hangover, having woken up on the Saturday morning feeling worse for wear after a late Friday night.

But just hours later he started to turn purple, became unable to breathe or feel his legs. 

Ollie Towler-Jones, who died after falling ill at Latitude Festival  2014 (Image: Archant)

He was airlifted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and put into a coma at 6.30pm. He would never wake and died at 8.16pm on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

It was not until after two post mortem examinations that his family learned he had died from a strain of meningitis called MenW.

Ever since his death, mother Jo Towler has tirelessly campaigned to raise awareness of the illness.

Ollie's Walkway at Latitude Festival, which was established in his memory (Image: Archant)

And 10 years on, she is urging people to take up a free vaccine against the meningitis bacteria - MenACWY - to help others avoid the pain she has suffered.

She said: "It has been 10 years and to this day people still seem to think he died of an overdose, which could not be further from the truth and is so frustrating.

"The day he died was one of the most traumatic of my life - it is every parent's worst nightmare to lose their child and life has never been the same."

Ollie Towler-Jones, with mum Jo Towler and dad Marc Jones (Image: Archant)

Ollie was the only child of Miss Towler and Marc Jones and while her partner was more interested in fishing, live music was her biggest shared love with her son.

Miss Towler, from Norwich, separately attended the festival in 2014 and has continued to do so over the last decade - despite the pain revisiting causes her.

He is also remembered every year at the festival with 'Ollie's Walkway' - a specific pathway through Henham Park to keep his legacy alive.

(Image: Jo Towler)

She added: "Ollie loved Latitude so much, which is why I continue to go, but it is very stressful - I always think I have seen him in the crowd.

"The 10 years since he died have been awful - everything changed for us when he died - knowing we'll never be grandparents, seeing all his friends getting married and having children of their own.

"I just hope he will be able to leave a legacy which will help other people."

Symptoms of meningitis can include a severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting and confusion - and it can affect people of all ages.

Miss Towler said she believes her son may have contracted the infection while on a holiday in Crete with friends, just days before attending the festival.

Each year when the festival comes around, Miss Towler is given a fresh reminder of her son's tragic death - fuelling her drive to raise awareness.

She added: "We urge parents to ensure their children are vaccinated.

"Meningitis is an evil disease that does not discriminate and can get anyone at any time.

"Please be aware of the symptoms and, if in doubt, please call for medical help immediately.

"Ollie's future was taken away - he was a beautiful boy with a kind soul and would help anyone.

"He was just starting to explore and live his life and we miss him tremendously."

However, even with vaccination, which Ollie had received, people are never fully protected - meaning awareness of symptoms and how to respond is crucial.

Miss Towler has become a fervent supporter of the charity Meningitis Now, which is fighting for a future where nobody in the UK suffers the same fate as Ollie.

If you have been affected by meningitis, the Meningitis Now Helpline can be reached on 0808 80 10 388 or helpline@meningitisnow.org