Sophie Ward was rushed to A&E after showing symptoms of meningitis at university, but she was turned away – and the 20-year-old tragically died hours later, it’s been revealed

The parents of a student, 20, who died after contracting meningitis B at university have demanded more action to protect young people from the deadly infection.

Sophie Ward, 20, died with “blood oozing from her eyes” hours after she was misdiagnosed with the flu at an A&E department then discharged. The 20-year-old and her mum had rushed to A&E at Barnet Hospital on the advice of 111 and told medics Sophie’s symptoms fitted those of meningitis.

At 2am the next morning she was “violently sick” as her temperature soared to 39.4C, so she was rushed back to hospital but it was too late to save her – Sophie died around 12 hours later, on July 31, 2023. Sophie’s dad said the “government needs to step up” amid an outbreak in Kent which killed two students last week.

Juliette Kenny, an 18-year-old sixth form student, tragically died on Saturday March 14 after contracting the deadly infection. A 21-year-old student from the University of Kent also died amid the outbreak linked to the Club Chemistry nightclub, in Canterbury.

Sophie, an artist from London, tragically died less than 24 hours after she started to show symptoms. When Sophie’s condition deteriorated after coming home her mother, Alice, frantically dialled 999 and an ambulance arrived within 15 minutes, racing Sophie to resuscitation while “blood seemed to ooze from her eyes”, an inquest into her death heard.

Nearly three years after Sophie’s death, her father Paul Ward said he did not realise his daughter wasn’t fully protected from meningitis because she had the jabs for A, C, W and Y strains as a teen. The menB jab was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015, meaning the majority of young people born before then are not protected against it unless they have had the jab privately.

Mr Ward, speaking to the Daily Mail, said: “Young people and their parents don’t realise they aren’t protected against meningitis B. The government has allowed that state of affairs to persist.

“They so far haven’t done anything to inform people that they aren’t protected against meningitis. The government needs to step up – even if they don’t make meningitis B what’s called a scheduled vaccine, they could do something in between.”

Just days before the Kent outbreak started, Mr Ward had appeared on ITV News to call for more young people to get the menB jab. He said: “Sophie should be alive, and if she had had the vaccine for menB she would be alive. This devastation – it doesn’t have to happen.”

An inquest, last year, into Sophie’s death heard how the Wimbledon College of Art student was seen two hours later which, retrospectively, should have been 15 minutes when she was first admitted to A&E. Mum Alice told proceedings: “Sophie was a young women, almost 21-years-old…she was dearly loved and gave and received so much joy to her family who knew her so well.

“She was admired by all for her tenderness, her sincerity, her kindness, and her beauty. As a young woman at age of 16 she became adventurous and outgoing, with a wide circle of friends whose company she cherished.” She added: “Her death was preventable and tragic, pain and sorrow that cannot be softened. She was loved and no good comes from her death, but change must come about in hospital diagnoses and protocols.”

A number of food recalls have been issued for various reasons, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) giving “do not eat” warnings to customers.

Several recalls are currently active, affecting products sold nationwide at a range of UK supermarkets and retailers.

Customers who have purchased any of the affected items are advised to take note of the possible health risks and follow the official guidance.

Food Recalls Explained

Walkers crisp recall

(Image: PepsiCo/Mark Mackenzie)

A packet of crisps sold at UK supermarkets has been recalled by Walkers and shoppers are being warned “do not eat” the affected item.

Walkers is recalling its six-pack of Hot Honey crisps, which can be purchased from Tesco, Ocado and more retailers, because they could contain a Mild Cheese & Onion seasoning which contains milk and is not correctly labelled.

The company said: “Although this product includes precautionary allergen labelling for milk, milk is not included in the ingredients list and therefore the product poses a risk to people with an allergy to milk.”

The affected batch is the six-pack of 25g bags with a best before date of May 16, 2026 and the batch code GBB 584 031.

Hot Honey Walkers! 🔥🍯 At B&M @walkers_crisps #walkerscrisps #hothoney #crisps #wellthisisnew pic.twitter.com/T16lnbpDJU

— Well This Is New (@All_Things_New_) February 8, 2026

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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned the product may contain milk, which makes it a “possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to milk or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.”

It added: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to milk do not eat it.

“Instead, please call the Consumer Care Line on 0800 274 777 or visit contact.pepsico.com/walkers to receive a full refund.”

Walkers confirmed that “no other Batch Codes on this Best Before Code are affected”.

A PepsiCo spokesperson said: “We are recalling a specific batch of Walkers Hot Honey 6 x 25g multipacks from specific UK retailers and wholesalers.

“Some of the packets may contain Mild Cheese & Onion seasoning rather than Hot Honey, meaning the product is incorrectly labelled and may pose a risk to people with an allergy to milk.

“This applies only to product with the impacted batch code.

“No other Walkers or PepsiCo products are in scope for this recall.

“The quality and safety of our products is of paramount importance to us and we sincerely apologise for the error.

“We are working with the Food Standards Agency, impacted retailers and allergen groups to inform consumers.”

Lidl recall

null (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Lidl has apologised to shoppers after it was forced to recall a snack product.

The supermarket is recalling Snaktastic Multigrain Bites Sour Cream & Black Pepper because it may contain pieces of foil.

The affected bags have a best before date of April 4 and a batch code of 207 345.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned: “Lidl GB is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought any of the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to a Lidl GB store for a full refund.

“For further information contact Lidl GB’s Customer Care team on 0203 966 5566 or at customer.care@lidl.co.uk .”

A Lidl spokesman added: “No other Snaktastic products in Lidl GB stores are affected by this recall.

“If you have bought the above product we advise you not to eat it.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.”

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Aptamil recall

Parents have been warned not to use a batch of baby formula because it may contain a toxin that could make their child ill.

Danone has recalled its Aptamil First Infant Formula because of the possible presence of cereulide toxin.

The toxin can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, and is unsafe to consume.

It is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus and is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk.

Friday 23 January: @Danone recalls Aptamil First Infant Formula because cereulide (toxin) has been found in this batch #FoodAlert https://t.co/1z8zL5bd4t pic.twitter.com/rqjkOYQFcW

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) January 23, 2026

The impacted batch of formula has a best before date of October 31, 2026.

A Danone spokesman said: “It was sold in May – July 2025. The expiry date, batch and time can be found on the lower back of the pack.

“No other batches are affected by this notice.

“Customers who still have products from this batch can return it to the shop where they bought it for a full refund with or without a receipt.”

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: “Danone is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought any of the above product do not feed it to babies. Instead, return it to the shop where they bought it for a full refund with or without a receipt.

“For further information, contact the Aptamil Careline team on 0800 996 1000 or at www.aptaclub.co.uk .

“Even if you have not identified ill-health in your baby as a result of consumption of this product, it is essential to stop using it.

“If the infant formula was prescribed by a health professional for your infant, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing formula.

“If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals, using the most appropriate route depending on where you live, (i.e., visit your GP, call NHS 111).”

TK Maxx recall

Drinks products sold at TK Maxx and Homesense have been recalled as they pose a “potential health risk” to some shoppers.

TJX Europe is recalling its Ten Acre Gifts/Coffee Syrup collection because of the safety concerns.

The items were sold in TK Maxx and Homesense between October 2025 and January 2026 and have a best before date of September 9, 2026.

The collection may contain nuts, peanuts, soya and wheat (gluten) which are not mentioned on the label.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “This product may contain nuts, peanuts, soya and wheat (gluten) making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts, peanuts, soya, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, or with coeliac disease.

“TJX Europe is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. 

“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy and/or intolerance to any of the allergens listed above, do not eat it.

“Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. Please contact customerservice@tjxeurope.com or 01923473561, for further information.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

“I remember watching [Lewis-Skelly] at the Bernabeu and thinking: ‘How is this possible?’, ‘How can you play with no experience at all?’ Now he is entering that difficult time. We had the discussion with him, if we call him up, and straight away he scored for us. So, we have to be careful and responsible.

​Ove and Grethe Andresen’s retrospective application to “regularise” the construction of raised timber decking at their property in Whitby has been refused by North Yorkshire Council over concerns about its impact on the town’s historic conservation area.

​The applicants said that “the development supports the continued residential and holiday use of Kirkby House at Long Steps, Church Street, which is consistent with prevailing patterns of occupation in this part of Whitby”.

​They added that it “provides private outdoor amenity space in a location constrained by steep topography and limited garden provision”.

​However, planning officers described it as “a private benefit ” with “no advantages to the wider public that would outweigh the visual harm caused by the boundary treatment”.

​A planning report also highlighted that the property “already benefited from a much smaller timber side balcony”.

​Cllr Neil Swannick, who represents Whitby Streonshalh, said: “The unauthorised construction is inappropriate in Whitby’s conservation area and likely to cause disamenity to the adjacent residential properties whose residents are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their homes.”

​The planning report stated: “It is emphasised that the area holds great significance with regard to the Whitby conservation area and, as such, the use of materials is an important factor in relation to the character of the area.

​“It is noted in the assessment that poor-quality boundary treatment can have an adverse impact on the character of the conservation area.”

​The applicants defended the development in a design statement submitted to the authority, stating: “The proposal constitutes a proportionate and contextually responsive intervention that makes efficient use of limited external space within a sensitive historic environment.

​“On this basis, there are no material planning grounds that would justify refusal, and planning permission should be granted for the retention of the decking.

​However, officers concluded that the development “causes an unacceptable level of harm to neighbouring amenity”.

​The retrospective application was refused by North Yorkshire Council.

The Section 106 financial contributions have increased by £275,811 to a new total of £3,466,277 to address the impact of the 37 additional homes and the revised Energy Strategy. However, all non-financial obligations from the previous scheme, such as those relating to affordable housing and viability reviews, remain unchanged.

Secateurs are one of the first tools most gardeners acquire. A good pair will last a lifetime, but any that are substandard or old can damage your plants and your hands. There are two main types. Bypass secateurs have scissor-like blades to produce a clean cut when pruning green stems. In contrast, anvil secateurs act more like a knife, and work best when cutting thicker, woodier stems.

The best secateurs should also be comfortable and a ratchet function will help if you need extra power when cutting bigger stems. Most also come in different sizes, and some have adjustable grip, so you can tweak it if you share your tools. Just note that smaller tools have reduced cutting diameters.

Price-wise, they range from around £15 to almost £300 for professional tools, although none here reach those heights. Notable brands include Felco, Niwaki, Okasune, Wilkinson Sword and Darlac. You’ll find all of these and more reviewed below, after extensive testing on my allotment.

The best secateurs: At a glance

Northern have issued a warning to passengers, saying that all lines are blocked between Wigan Wallgate and Salford Crescent.

Services between these two stations via Atherton are blocked in both directions.

Disruptions are expected to last until 9pm, according to the latest updated from Northern.

The Headbolt Lane to Blackburn and Wigan Wallgate to Leeds services are affected.

Services between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road and Southport and Stalybridge are able to call at all stations via Westhoughton, however may be subject to short notice cancellations and delays.

⚠️Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident near the railway between Wigan Wallgate and Salford Crescent some lines are blocked.

🚆Train services running through these stations will be cancelled.#NorthernUpdateshttps://t.co/lZlsirpL6B

— NORTHERN 🚆 (@northernassist) March 20, 2026

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Northern train ticket restrictions have been lifted in the affected areas, including Advance and Peak restrictions, during this disruption. Restrictions will be reinstated once the disruption ends.

The following rail replacement services are in place:

From Wigan Wallgate calling at all stations to Manchester Victoria via Atherton at 20:00

From Salford Crescent calling at all stations to Wigan Wallgate via Atherton at 20:00

The emergency services have been contacted for comment.