Madelynne Butcher, 18, dies after contracting H1N1 virus

12:30pm Saturday 8th August 2009 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Simon Carr, Eastleigh Chief Reporter

Madelynne Butcher Madelynne Butcher

A TALENTED teenager who dreamed of being a doctor and worked with disabled children has become the first person from Hampshire to die after contracting swine flu.

Top student Madelynne Butcher, 18, will not get the chance to open her Alevel results later this month.

It will be left to her mother Beverley to see if her daughter scored the grades she needed to get into university where she planned to study biology.

Madelynne, of Sholing, Southampton , showed no signs of illness when she headed off on holiday to Tenerife with a friend in June to celebrate finishing her exams.

However, when she returned she was sick and short of breath and her mother took her to see a doctor and then to Southampton General Hospital where she was later sedated.

After two weeks she was transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester to be treated with specialist equipment.

Her mum and dad Alan went to visit her in Leicester on Thursday morning and were told when they arrived that their daughter had died.

The exact cause of her death has yet to be established but Madelynne had been diagnosed as having swine flu by Southampton doctors and had been prescribed the drug Tamiflu.

Last night her mum led the tributes.

She said: “She loved every minute of life. Madelynne was so adorable, everyone who met her thought so and that’s what all her friends have been saying.

“She was a very outgoing, easygoing and thoughtful, always thoughtful to her friends and family.”

See today's paper for more on this story

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Comments(18)

queenb says...
12:51pm Sat 8 Aug 09

My heart goes out to her family and friends for the loss of such a young lady who had her life ahead of her.
R.I.P. Madelynne

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Finlay says...
1:26pm Sat 8 Aug 09

Terrible loss of such a young and beautiful little girl.



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joeybug82 says...
2:23pm Sat 8 Aug 09

Me and my family would like to send you our heartfelt condolences, at this terrible time.

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lorena_2009 says...
2:51pm Sat 8 Aug 09

Still cant believe this, R.I.P maddy, we will always remember you, everyone from st annes will. sweet dreams xxxxxxx

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Hello kitty says...
3:14pm Sat 8 Aug 09

sleep tight maddy rip xx

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stellawhite says...
3:35pm Sat 8 Aug 09

Rest in peace Maddy
x

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SapphL says...
3:52pm Sat 8 Aug 09

R.I.P Maddy you were a star!
Can't believe it. You will be missed by so many people.
Always cheerful, making others laugh and looking out for everyone.
St Anne's wouldn't have been the same without you Maddy Butcher!
Love and Thoughts are with all your family
xxx

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amelia18 says...
6:13pm Sat 8 Aug 09

Sleep tight Girly. Miss you too much. Never going to be the same without you. You were, as they say "full of beans" u loved life and nothing got u down. Looked up to u alot and if anything, i wish to be half the person u were. Still cant believe you're gone. It just doesnt seem right, I can still see you now in sainsburys havin a laugh with us all, and sharing lovely cookies with me :) doesnt bare to think about that your gone :'( R.I.P madz. will always be in my heart xxx

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claretallon says...
8:04pm Sat 8 Aug 09

You really were awesome, you made Art in St Annes hilarious always being cheeky, you were so funny. i won't forget always seeing you and emily around town along with bethany. You guys always had such a good time. I remember how you were always smiling and laughing, that will be a picture how everyone will remember you by. R.I.P Maddy, least no harm can come to you now. xx

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Sarah Lumber says...
9:26pm Sat 8 Aug 09

I can't imagine what your family has gone through and is going through. I knew Maddy through my girls as they played in Saturday orchestra practice, with her, a few years ago now. My youngest, Abi, play percussion with her and together there was never a dull session. The world is a duller place without her love for life and her generosity towards others. You will always be remembered Maddy and I feel privileged to have known you. You will live on in all our hearts. X

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maureenbeesley says...
9:50pm Sat 8 Aug 09

such sad and tragic news about maddy, i knew maddy from work (sainsbury's)she was such a bubbly character, always smiling,maddy will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her,my heart goes out to maddy's family, R.I.P.MADDY-GONE TO SOON

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seanth18 says...
10:31pm Sat 8 Aug 09

my best friend.....im going to miss you so much my beautiful star! i'm going to be strong for you okay?! and im going to help emily and naomi through this....i just wish the world would have let you live longer.....sleep tight my girl!! i'll see you later!! i love you so much....xxx

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EmmaBabe says...
10:57pm Sat 8 Aug 09

maddy went to ma college and everyone knew of her. she was always friendly to everyone, even those she didnt know! when she was running in the elections everyone was talking about the different thiings she was doing and saying they were gunna support her just like she wud support any of us thru any time of need!! RIP Maddy! u will be missed by those who knew u and even those who didnt! we all love you; forever in our hearts!!

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Diogo Fernandes says...
4:30am Sun 9 Aug 09

It's just heart-breaking. We are with you, Madelynne's mum, dad, and family - with our prayers. Once again, God's ways are God's ways. We know by our faith, Madelynne is in God's Sacred and Secured Hands. May the Lord give you the courage to see your daughter in Heaven.

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Conrad Mac Cleary says...
4:44am Sun 9 Aug 09

Yumi is a troll & is just looking for a response. Please ignore him.

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soton-mike80 says...
1:27pm Sun 9 Aug 09

I didn't know Madelynne, but my heart goes out to all those that did, especially her parents who are no-doubt inconsolable at this time... Rest in peace x

For everyone else reading this, keep your eyes on the NHS and DirectGov websites for the latest situation. www.nhs.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/sw
ineflu

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seanth18 says...
5:43pm Sun 9 Aug 09

yumi how can you say that? what is her family going to think....you didn't know her like most of these people or me....if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all

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rorytempered says...
9:18pm Sun 9 Aug 09

soton-mike80 wrote:
I didn't know Madelynne, but my heart goes out to all those that did, especially her parents who are no-doubt inconsolable at this time... Rest in peace x

For everyone else reading this, keep your eyes on the NHS and DirectGov websites for the latest situation. www.nhs.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/sw

ineflu
These websites have some basic information and are a good place to start, but for those wanting to be kept as informed as possible I would also suggest: Health Protection Agency (HPA) Swine Influenza (influenza A H1N1v) Updates, European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC) Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Updates, and World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Situation Updates, as well as any of the numerous pandemic flu forums and websites.

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