A mother has spoken of her heartache after her 18-year-old daughter died from one of the deadly flu bugs currently sweeping the UK.
Bethany Walker, of Applecross in Northern Scotland, passed away from pneumonia, which was triggered by the virus, last week.
Her devastated mother, Heather Teale, posted an emotional tribute on Facebook to say she was ‘broken’ and the ‘bottom has fallen out of my world’.
Tributes have flooded in for the popular teenager on social media. Miss Walker was due to head to Aberdeen University to study midwifery later this year.
TV adventurer Monty Halls, who lived on the Applecross peninsula in 2008 for his Great Escapes series, described her as a ‘total delight’.
Ms Teale wrote on Facebook: ‘My beautiful Daughter Bethany Walker was taken from me yesterday (Jan 5).
Bethany Walker, from Applecross, died after taking ill at home – initially from flu symptoms which later developed into pneumonia
‘She had been suffering from a flu virus, which became pneumonia.
‘She was airlifted to Raigmore with me by her side yesterday morning (Jan 5), where she rapidly deteriorated.
‘The staff in Intensive Care could not have done more, she was given the best possible treatment from a team of eight people for over two hours, they tried everything possible but sadly despite their best efforts she didn’t make it.’
She added: ‘I am broken, the bottom has fallen out of my world. I have my mum with me, and my wonderful son Danny Walker who are both feeling the same loss as I am.
‘Life will never be the same again. Bethany, I love you to the moon and back, I always have and I always will, you were the best daughter I could have ever wished for and I will always be the proudest mum in the world.
‘I have no more words. I’m truly devastated. Sleep tight my beautiful girl, your brother and I will love you forever, you will never be out of my thoughts as long as I live.’

Miss Walker was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but died later last Friday. Tributes have poured in on social media

This map, based on figures from Public Health England, illustrates how often flu-like symptoms were reported to GPs last week. Orange represents the areas that have a very high amount of flu-like symptoms compared to green areas which have low numbers (no regional breakdown can be provided for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
Among those paying his respects was TV adventurer Monty Halls, who lived on the Applecross peninsula in 2008 for his Great Escapes series.
He wrote: ‘Heather, I am so, so sorry to hear this news – it is beyond comprehension. Words seem so completely inadequate.
‘Every member of the film crew for Great Escapes remembers her so fondly, a total delight.
‘My deepest condolences to you, and your family. I know the entire team send their best wishes, their thoughts, and their love. Monty xxx’
The Applecross Inn Facebook also paid its own special tribute: ‘Farewell to dear Bethany another fantastic member of our team who we sadly lost last Friday after a short illness, you were the ‘belle of the ball’ at Hogmanay……and indeed everywhere.
‘Such a tragic loss of someone so perfect in every way, so polite, such beauty, humour, fun, music and studies.
‘You were pure pleasure as an employee…..loved by every member of our team, so much devotion and dedication to all you did.’
Miss Walker wanted to study midwifery and was due to head for Aberdeen University later this year.

Tributes have flooded in for the popular teenager on social media. Miss Walker was due to head to Aberdeen University to study midwifery later this year

Ms Teale wrote on Facebook: ‘My beautiful Daughter Bethany Walker was taken from me yesterday (Jan 5). I am broken, the bottom has fallen out of my world’