When 21-year-old Lucas Martin fell ill in September 2023, he and his family assumed it was just “a really bad virus.”

But tragically, they were soon forced to say goodbye to the young man.

Now, his family is speaking out about the symptoms he experienced, hoping to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.

A stark warning

A young family in the UK is grieving the sudden loss of 21-year-old Lucas Martin, a recent University of Liverpool graduate, who died from meningitis just days after showing what his family thought were typical “fresher’s flu” symptoms.

The tragedy has left loved ones heartbroken and issuing a stark warning to other students and young adults about how quickly the illness can turn fatal.

Lucas, who had recently completed a degree in international business, began experiencing headaches, fever, and fatigue in early September 2023.

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“Looking back, the only thing that could have changed things would have been that knowledge of meningitis,” his brother Connor Martin told the BBC. “It felt like a really bad virus he had, but none of us thought it could be meningitis.”

Unlike many meningitis cases, Lucas showed none of the tell-tale signs, such as a rash or sensitivity to light, which made the disease almost impossible to spot in its early stages.

How fast it went

Over the course of five days, his condition deteriorated, until on September 10 his father noticed something was wrong.

“He was struggling to string a sentence together and mumbling,” Connor explained.

The family rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed and placed in an induced coma — but tragically, Lucas never regained consciousness. He passed away on September 12, leaving his family devastated.

Connor reflected on his brother’s life and ambitions, painting a picture of a driven, personable young man.

“We describe him as a force of nature,” he said. “He was very entrepreneurial… just a very driven, personable young man. He was taken too soon.”

According to his family, Lucas was a beacon of hope and joy to everyone who knew him. His ability to uplift others, even in the face of adversity, was extraordinary.

A life-saving lesson

In the wake of his death, the family has launched Looky’s Aid, a charity in Lucas’ honor that supports young people struggling with illness through scholarships and community programs.

Connor hopes his brother’s story will serve as a life-saving lesson for others. “If you’re worried, take action. Don’t just dismiss it as flu. We work hard not to blame ourselves — we just didn’t think of it,” he said.

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“Freshers’ flu” isn’t actually the flu — it’s a term used to describe the mix of colds and other common illnesses that students often pick up when they first start university and mingle with large groups of people.

Lucas’ sudden death is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can change —and how serious illnesses like meningitis can masquerade as something far less dangerous.

His story is resonating with families across the world, raising awareness of the deadly risks that even a simple headache and fever can pose.