Tributes have been paid to a "bright and popular" teenager who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a chip shop takeaway.
Chris Smith, 17, went into severe anaphylactic shock after eating chicken and chips from his local takeaway.
The A-level pupil, from Wallasey in Wirral, had a known nut allergy but had eaten the same dish numerous times before his tragic death on 4th February.
Chris's devastated mother Kate said: "Chris was diagnosed with a severe nut allergy when he was three years old so he was always very careful about what he ate.
"Throughout his life we avoided all foods that could contain nuts to try and keep him safe.
"There was no reason to suspect there would be any issue with the meal."
However, after just one bite of the meal, from the Village Fish and Chip Shop in Wallasey Village, Chris's mouth began to swell and he felt a burning sensation in his throat.
Kate, 47, added: "Chris always kept an emergency kit so I offered him his EpiPen but at that point he didn't feel he needed it - he thought he was ok.
"The paramedics arrived very quickly but his condition deteriorated rapidly.
"He was given a very large dose of adrenaline in the ambulance but he didn't respond to it."
Kate, a trained nurse, performed CPR on her son but the allergic reaction was so severe nothing could be done for him and he died en route to Arrowe Park Hospital.
Heartbroken mum-of-two Kate told how the family are now in "complete shock" at the teenager's sudden death.
Kate, Head of Clinical Governance at Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, said: "We're all just devastated at losing Chris - we're a tight knit family.
"I'm in complete shock - it's not something you expect to happen to a 17-year-old.
"Chris was a really bright guy - he even built his own computer from scratch when he was 15.
"He had a place to study Chemistry at the University of Leicester and had a beautiful young girlfriend who he was mad about.
"He was on the cusp of new beginnings in his life and had everything to look forward to."
More than 600 mourners attended the keen scientist's funeral at Sacred Heart The Cross church, in Moreton, where brother Matt, 21, gave a moving eulogy.
On Wednesday, an additional memorial service was held at St Anselm's College, in Prenton, where fair-haired Chris was a sixth form student.
Social networking sites have been flooded with messages of sympathy and memories of the popular young man.
Close pal Becky Santo paid tribute to the "generous, caring, friendly guy" on a Facebook memorial page.
The 17-year-old wrote: "I'll miss you. You being here with us has truly had an impact on us all, some people in particular.
"You were always there Chris and now you're not it doesn't seem right at all.
She added: "What if there is a god? Maybe he wants to keep the best to himself and that's why you couldn't be with us for longer."
Following the teen's funeral, on 18th February, family friend Lizzie Madden wrote: "Your family had a wonderful send off for you today Chris..
"R.I.P. You will never be forgotten."
An inquest into Chris's death was opened and adjourned to a further date.
Mum Kate added: "The police took Chris's meal away for analysis but we won't find out the results until the inquest.
"They said they would advise the chip shop but I've had no contact from them and they've not been in touch to offer their condolences."
"But the support we've recieved from friends and the local community has been incredible during this difficult time, and I can't thank them enough."
The Anaphylaxis Campaign, said that Chinese and Indian take-aways are a recognised source of danger to sufferers from the condition.
Campaign Chief Executive Lynne Regent, said: "Nuts and peanuts are often deliberate ingredients - perhaps disguised as an oil or powder - but not always recognised by staff or customers.
"Young people who may not have had a severe reaction before are at particular risk, and may not be ready to manage their symptoms.
"Food businesses need to make sure that the information they provide to customers about food on sale is accurate and not misleading.
"The European Parliament is currently discussing proposed amendments to the new Food Information Legislation which we are hoping will require catering businesses and those selling loose food to keep comprehensive and up-to-date ingredient information accessible on request to both staff colleagues and customers.
"If this proposal is agreed, it will help allergic customers to obtain vital information about the food they are ordering."
Angela Pettett, United Kingdom around 1 month, 1 week ago