A seven-year-old girl has died of suspected flu after collapsing days before Christmas.
Isabella Lagronova passed away after falling ill in at her Gateshead home. The family have been told she died of suspected influenza B.
The youngster collapsed on Sunday and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, Isabella was declared "brain dead" and she slipped away in her mum Zdena's arms days later.
Her family and friends have been left devastated and have paid moving tributes to Isabella, report the Chronicle .
Zdena said: "On Friday, she went to school. It was Christmas Jumper Day and she was excited."
However the next day, the youngster started vomiting and coughing. By Sunday, she had a high fever and collapsed.
Her grandad gave her first aid and an ambulance was called to take her to hospital.
"She was put on machines," said Zdena. "On Tuesday morning, they did a last test and said she was brain dead."
At 2.26pm that day, Isabella died in her mum's arms. Zdena and her sister were by the youngster's side as hospital staff switched off her machines.
The family were told the girl had influenza B.
A heartbroken Zdena paid tribute to her wonderful daughter, who loved singing and dancing, and was looking for to Christmas.
"My heart is dead. She was my Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," she added.
The youngster's death has rocked the community and within days more than £5,700 has been donated to a JustGiving fundraising page to help the family at this difficult time.
Friend Debbie Craig, who set up the page, said: "Everybody has been touched by what happened.
"Isabella was a lovely little girl. Her mum was never away from her, they did everything together. Zdena never went anywhere without her. Her daughter was her life.
"Zdena has thanked all the people who have made donations to the page and says it means a lot to them."
