Heartbreaking picture of girl cuddling her boyfriend in hospital before his life support machine is switched off
A teenage girl has shared a heartbreaking picture of her cuddling her 16-year-old boyfriend in a hospital bed moments before his life support was turned off.
The poignant photo captures the moment Stephanie Ray, 15, bid farewell to her boyfriend Blake Ward who was tragically swept out to sea last week.
The youngster was one of three teenagers rescued from the sea in Tywyn, Gwynedd in north west Wales after being swept away from the shore while on a family trip.
It is thought the boy from Dudley went for a swim to cool down in the heat before being swept out by currents.
He was flown to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool where he was placed on life support.
But on Saturday morning doctors and next of kin decided to switch off the equipment, ending his life.
Blake was someone special to me and we had something special
Stephanie Ray
Before this Stephanie was photographed lying by his side in his final moments.
Taking to Facebook she wrote alongside the picture: “Today has been the hardest day for me and it will be a day I will never be able to forget.
“I have been by his side through it all and I haven’t left him as you all know Blake was a loving a caring person and would do anything for anyone.
“We had to make the hard decision of turning his machine off and let him go.
“Blake was someone special to me and we had something special and we will always have that me.
“Blake wasn’t in any pain and he passed away with his family around him and he will forever be missed and he will always have a special place in my heart.”
Since his death a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for his wake.
It has so far raised £5,863 with any money left over being donated to sea search and rescue and the air ambulance.
