A seemingly healthy British woman has died suddenly aged just 30 after being taken to hospital from her home.
Megan Elizabeth Haslam’s unexpected death has left her family and friends devastated, with loved ones saying it came “completely out of the blue”.
Friends believe Megan may have suffered a heart attack or internal bleeding, although her official cause of death has not yet been established.
READ MORE: Brits confront woman accused of jumping queue they’d waited in all night for Pokémon CARDS
A post-mortem examination is expected to take place and loved ones are hoping it will provide answers.
The tragedy unfolded on Sunday (13 September), when Megan became unwell at home and was carried out on a stretcher before being taken to hospital.
She was subsequently pronounced dead while in hospital care.
In a cruel twist, her friend Joshua, 30, said Megan had reached the “best point” of her adult life after overcoming a series of difficult circumstances.
She was working consistently, driving and enjoying a newfound sense of stability when her life was suddenly cut short.
Joshua, who had known Megan for around 18 years, told Need To Know: “It was unexpected and completely out of the blue.
“When she passed away, she was at the best point she had been at during her adult life.
“She had consistency with work, she was driving and she was stable.
“Everything was perfect in that sense.
“In the context of her whole life, it was the worst possible time for this to happen because her future was only looking bright.”
Megan worked full-time in housing while also regularly taking on shifts in pubs around Bolton.
Joshua said her willingness to work two jobs demonstrated her determination and how much she was prepared to sacrifice.
He said: “She was incredibly hard-working because she wanted to provide.
“Life throws curveballs at us all, but she always rose to them.
“She was incredibly resilient and overcame so many challenges.”
Joshua met Megan during their first year of secondary school and remained close to her despite their lives taking them in different directions.
He described her as warm-hearted, selfless and emotionally intelligent – but also fiery and unafraid to tell people exactly what she thought.
He said: “She was the kind of person who saw the good in everyone, regardless of their colour, creed or background.
“With Megan, what you saw was what you got, and she treated everybody the same.
“She was fiery, too. That’s why a lot of people loved her.
“She always had the best intentions and never had any ill intent.
“She was a person of such goodwill.
“Megan and I came from completely different walks of life and followed different paths, but we stayed in touch because you could never find somebody else like her.”
Megan’s brother Jack Haslam and Rebbecca Barraclough have launched a GoFundMe to pay for the funeral and wake her loved ones believe she deserves.
It has already raised £4,200 of its £6,000 target through 126 donations, while a separate collection has reportedly begun at one of the pubs where she worked.
The fundraiser reads: “Megan brought so much light, warmth and laughter into the lives of everyone who knew her.
“Her loss has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends and all those whose lives she touched.
“We want to give Megan the send-off she deserves.”
Any money remaining after the funeral will be donated to causes close to Megan’s heart.
These include the Destitute Animal Shelter and local services supporting homeless people and those experiencing mental-health and addiction difficulties.
Joshua said Megan adored animals and was particularly devoted to her dog.
He added: “We didn’t expect this level of support, although we also anticipated it in a way because of who Megan was.
“You can see how much love there is.
“She would be so surprised.
“It’s easy to take things for granted.
“I think that’s the message: don’t take life or the people around you for granted.”
READ MORE: Masked thug flees with cash in shocking late-night ram raid
