Nursing student dies during placement shift

Tributes have been paid to a nursing student who died on the first day of her second-year placement.

Lucy Bethany Blackburn died after having an epileptic seizure during her shift at Warrington Hospital in Cheshire last week.

Shocked colleagues have expressed condolences and shared their memories of the 20-year-old on social media, and a fundraising campaign has also been started in her memory.

Ms Blackburn, who was studying at the University of Chester, was well known at the hospital having done previous work during her studies.

She also worked at Gainsborough House care home in Warrington taking care of residents with dementia.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust director of nursing and governance Karen Dawber said: ‘We are truly saddened by the tragic death of Lucy. She was a wonderful student who would have gone on to be an amazing staff nurse.

‘Compassionate and caring, she touched the lives of everyone she met at the hospital. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.’

One friend has set up a gofundme page to raise money for a minibus in her name, which has raised more than £8,000 in just three days.

A service of remembrance will be held on Thursday December 10 at All Saints Church, Burnley at 2.30pm, followed by a special balloon release in her honour.

Contribute to the campaign here