A young woman fell into a coma and died after taking an overdose – while her heartbroken mother believed she was just hungover from a night out.
Shannon Hewat, 20, was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital last Tuesday after she revealed she had taken an overdose.
Her mother Lorna had thought her daughter was vomiting because of a hangover as she had ‘been out all weekend,’ and tried to give her dried toast and crackers before Ms Hewat made the confession.
When the pair arrived at the Lincolnshire hospital, the 49-year-old mother was unable to be at her daughter’s side due to restrictions in place amid coronavirus.
On Wednesday, Mrs Hewat was told her daughter had fallen into a coma as her organs had gone into complete failure.
She was then transferred to a hospital in Birmingham for an emergency liver transplant, but Ms Hewat died before she was able to undergo the surgery.
Shannon Hewat (pictured), 20, was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital last Tuesday after she admitted she had taken an overdose
Her mother Lorna said: ‘We believe she took the overdose on Monday, she had been out all weekend and I thought she had a bad hangover and that is why she was being sick.
‘I was trying to give her dried toast, biscuits and crackers and tried to get to sip water. I had no idea and her friend who was here also had no idea.
‘She told me [what she had done]. I think she was frightened at that point because she was in a lot of pain.’
After her daughter made the confession, Mrs Hewat immediately called an ambulance and the claims advisor was rushed into Lincoln County hospital.
The worried parent was unable to be at her daughter’s side due to coronavirus restrictions, and and instead pleaded with the hospital for regular updates.
She also sent texts to her daughter, but the messages got no response.
Doctors called Mrs Hewat the next morning and revealed Shannon was in a critical condition and had fallen into a coma.
Her organs had gone into complete failure and it was arranged that she would be transferred to hospital in Birmingham and taken in for an emergency liver transplant.
Despite their fears she wouldn’t survive the journey, Mrs Hewat, her son Connor, 19, and two of Shannon’s best friends headed to Birmingham.
The mother and brother were given 30 minutes with Shannon as doctors prepared her for the emergency surgery.
They then headed to a nearby hospital to rest, but were told later that night that Shannon had passed away.
Ms Hewat (pictured with her brother Connor) fell into a coma and was transferred to a hospital in Birmingham for an emergency liver transplant
Mrs Hewet said: ‘I refused to believe it. I was shouting at the doctors to help her. I knew she wouldn’t leave me.
‘She was supposed to go for a liver transplant, she only had a couple of hours to hold on. I have just been in complete shock, I still can’t believe it.
‘I am just waiting for her to come through the door and every now and then again I can hear her voice in the house.
‘I would do anything for her just to come in and chuck her stuff on the floor even though we have a coat-rack. ‘
Mrs Hewat explained how she and Shannon were ‘very, very close’: ‘Even during the lockdown I said to my mum it was a full-time job just texting Shannon all day.
‘I didn’t text many people because my hands would be sore because Shannon would text me constantly all day even if she was in the house.
‘We were very close. I have two boys, but mums and daughters are very close. It was like we were joined at the hip, we were best friends.’
Ms Hewat also shared a close-knit relationship with Connor and their older brother, Dominic.
Her mother said: ‘She was dearly loved by her brothers. Connor is younger, he is about to turn 19 next week.
‘Dominic is 30 and he felt more like a father figure towards both of them because of the age gap and there not being a father around.
‘Connor and Shannon used to be inseparable. They used to top and tail in bed, they were as thick as thieves.’
Mrs Hewat explained how she and Shannon (pictured together) were ‘very, very close’: ‘Even during the lockdown I said to my mum it was a full-time job just texting Shannon all day’
Paying tribute to her daughter, Mrs Hewat said she will always remember Shannon as the considerate and thoughtful person she was.
‘She was very strong minded and bossy. When she was at nursery they said she was going to be the next prime minister because she could take charge of situations,’ she said.
‘She was very funny, she had a good sense of humour. She was very quick-witted – I don’t know how she managed get these quick comebacks, she didn’t get it from me, that’s for sure.
‘She was very loyal and a very loyal friend. Her friends have all messaged me and said how much a wonderful friend she was, a good listener and how she would help any of them out of dark places.
‘She was very supportive but she was proud and stubborn so didn’t like to share her own troubles.
‘Shannon liked to appear strong. She was very energetic and had a lot of lust for life.’
Her mother, who hopes to bury her daughter with her uncle and grandfather in Scotland, has now set up a fundraiser to help pay for Shannon’s funeral.
So far, more than £3,700 has been donated to the fund.
Mrs Hewat said: ‘It’s absolutely beyond words. I don’t even know to express my gratitude.
‘There are no words I can say to people to say thank you for their generosity and messages of support.
‘Whether they have sent a donation or not, everyone has been unbelievable. The amount of friend requests I am getting from Shannon’s friend is incredible.’
- For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details