Aussie nurse killed by mystery illness on her honeymoon – Travel at 60

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Kelly Clarke fell ill while holidaying in Fiji with her new husband, Chase; the pair had travelled to Sigatoka, combining their honeymoon with a trip for a friend’s wedding. 

A children’s nurse aged just 24, Kelly realised that something was wrong on Wednesday, though she assumed that her sickness was just a fleeting stomach bug. Local medical professionals disagreed and rushed Kelly to Lautoka Hospital. 

After being told she was suffering from typhoid, along with organ failure and septicaemia, Kelly was placed into an induced coma.

Kelly’s sister, Tam, created a fundraising campaign with a goal of $30,000 and the following description of events:

“My sister is currently In hospital in Fiji for a friends wedding and to celebrate their honeymoon! She has caught Typhoid Fever. She has been put into an induced Coma due to organ failure and septicaemia. She is in a very unstable condition. She needs a medivac ASAP as Fiji don’t have the medicatiosn she needs. Please help us bring her home!!” [sic] 

Kelly had, in fact, contracted a case of severe bilateral pneumonia, a fungal infection that was attacking both of her lungs. The diagnosis was only delivered after Kelly passed away on Friday. 

The fundraising campaign was updated to let donators know what had happened.

“Thank you to everyone so far who has kindly donated. We are all really blown away by the love and support around us. Unfortunately Kelly has passed away. The process has begun to bring her back to Australia.” 

It was later confirmed on the fundraising page that costs to transport Kelly’s body home will be covered by insurance, and that donations “will go a long way to help the family in the difficult times to come”. 

Donations are still pouring in despite the changed circumstances; more than 700 people have donated to the campaign in the last two days, and more than $50,000 has been raised.