THE distressed family of meningitis victim Sammy Forrest spoke today of their horror at the speed at which the bubbly three-year-old was struck down by the killer bug.

Sammy, who has meningococcal septicaemia, is critically ill and on a ventilator in the intensive care unit of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Her devastated parents, Sharon and Phil, are keeping a vigil at the bedside of their unconscious little girl as her life hangs in the balance.

Her uncle, Mark Walsh, 34, of Grange Street, Accrington, said: "The next 24 hours are critical. We are just waiting and hoping."

Sammy, who was just getting over pneumonia, became ill on Sunday evening, shivering and being sick and was rushed by her parents to Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, from their home in Central Avenue, Oswaldtwistle.

Mark's wife, Sue, 36, said: "Even though Sammy was very poorly on Monday she was talking, but as the day went on she became worse and worse". The youngster was transferred from Blackburn to the Manchester hospital on Monday evening.

Sue, who saw her niece on Tuesday, said: "I was shocked when I saw her. She is hooked up to quite a lot of machines and they are pumping drugs in.

"She is little for a three-year-old and her body is really, really tired. That's why they have put her on a ventilator to give her body a rest."

Although Sammy is sedated, doctors have told the family she can hear them talking to her.

Sue said: "She's a gorgeous little girl, full of life and full of mischief. She's a typical three-year-old cheeky and comical."

In the midst of their own heartbreaking ordeal, Sammy's parents are urging other parents to be extra vigilant .

Sue said: "Sharon wants people to be made aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and how quickly it can take hold of a child.

"It's opened my eyes to how quickly it can strike somebody down."

Sue added that Sharon and Phil wanted to thank everybody for their help and support, including their family and nursing staff.

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