A new bride who fell ill during her wedding ceremony has died just hours after marrying the love of her life.
Jamieka Harford was struck with a bacterial infection linked to Meningococcal moments after walking down the aisle in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.
The 26-year-old had just exchanged vows with ‘the man she loves’, Alistair John, when she began to feel unwell, her mother Linda wrote on social media.
New bride Jamieka McCarthy Harford (pictured) has died just hours after her wedding day
Jamieka was struck with bacterial infection linked to Meningococcal during her wedding ceremony with new husband Alistair John (pictured) on Saturday
The 26-year-old had only hours earlier said her vows to ‘the man she loves’ in New Zealand
Tragically, she later died of the bacterial infection, which is linked to meningitis.
Described as a ‘princess in her wedding dress’, hundreds of devastated family and friends took to social media to pay tribute to the ‘fine young woman’.
‘This is heartbreaking, I’m sorry this has happened to your family … to lose your wife during what’s meant to be a most glorious time, words just aren’t enough,’ one person shared.
‘I’m really going to miss your forever smiling face, your bubbly personality and your crackup Facebook posts,’ one person wrote.
‘So sorry to hear Jamieka has been taken so young an on her special day. She was a beautiful young lady with a lovely soul,’ someone posted.
‘She was kind, polite and opened her heart to everyone who needed her! I’m going to miss her so much … be extremely proud of the woman she had become. Rest In Peace my friend,’ another wrote.
The new bride’s family released a statement to New Zealand Herald, describing the 26-year-old as ‘the most kind-hearted person in the world who loved life’.
Described as a ‘princess in her wedding dress’, hundreds of devastated family and friends took to social media to pay tribute to the ‘fine young woman’ (pictured)
Jamieka’s family described the 26-year-old as ‘the most kind-hearted person in the world who loved life’, according to the New Zealand Herald
‘Jamieka was so happy to be married and the wedding was a beautiful, happy occasion surrounded by love,’ the statement said.
‘She always put others before herself … she was a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She will be missed forever.’
According to the publication, New Zealand health services are working with the family to prevent transmission of the disease, which can cause death within hours if it’s not recognised.