THE son of a Blackburn ambulanceman has died of meningitis.

Four-year-old Timothy Haworth died early today in Manchester's Pendlebury Children's Hospital after losing a brave battle against the disease.

His death came as public health officials confirmed that a three-month-old baby boy from Accrington had also been struck down by suspected meningitis.

Timothy's condition rapidly deteriorated after his father David, a Blackburn-based ambulance technician, took him to hospital on Monday afternoon.

David's boss, John Marsden, today said that everybody at the station was "absolutely devastated" by the tragedy. He said: "We cannot believe it. We just feel numb." Public health officials at East Lancashire Health Authority confirmed that Timothy, who lived with his parents in Blackburn, died early this morning.

His father had taken him to the casualty unit at Blackburn Royal Infirmary on Monday after he became ill. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to Pendlebury.

His death came after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed that East Lancashire paramedics were set to become the first in the country to carry penicillin supplies for the rapid treatment of meningitis.

Meanwhile, health officials revealed that the baby from Accrington was admitted to Blackburn Royal Infirmary yesterday .

Roberta Marshall, consultant in communicable disease control at East Lancashire Health Authority, said that his condition was improving. They are waiting for the results of laboratory tests to confirm whether it is a definite meningitis case.

They are the first cases of suspected meningitis of the autumn. Last year East Lancashire was hit by a flurry of meningitis cases with 20 reported between Christmas Eve and the end of January.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph meningitis helpline number is 0990 446644. Enter selection 8219.

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