Heartbreaking Loss as Baby Louie Dies on Christmas Morning After Twin Recovers from Coma
A family from Stockton is devastated after their 15-month-old son, Louie Hughes, tragically passed away on Christmas morning, just days after his twin brother Vinnie recovered from a coma. The blue-eyed twins, born at just 26 weeks on August 28, 2023, had battled for survival in the hospital for four months before finally coming home.
The boys had been largely happy and healthy until three weeks ago when both contracted a cough that was later diagnosed as the flu. While Vinnie was placed in a coma at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) for six days, Louie’s health rapidly declined, prompting his transfer to the same hospital.
Louie suffered a cardiac arrest on December 21, but doctors managed to resuscitate him. However, his condition worsened, and on Christmas morning, doctors informed his mother, Megan Hughes, 28, that his breathing could no longer be sustained by the machine. Louie passed away peacefully at 8:15 a.m.
“It just feels like the world has stopped,” Megan told The Northern Echo. “He was just happy all the time. All the videos I have are of him laughing all the time.”
Recounting her final moments with Louie, Megan shared, “They rang me to come over on Christmas morning. They told me his breathing wasn’t working on the machine anymore, so they were hand-pumping him oxygen, which couldn’t go on. They just put him on me, and he was quiet.”
Louie’s cause of death was recorded as flu on his death certificate. Megan described her son as the louder and more expressive of the two twins, contrasting with Vinnie’s quieter demeanor. “He could say a few words, but he wasn’t walking yet. Louie was the poorly one when they were born because he was smaller.”
The family now faces the difficult task of planning Louie’s funeral while supporting his surviving siblings, Vinnie, Nancy (9), Eren (6), and Ronnie (5). A GoFundMe page initially created to help cover travel expenses for hospital visits will now be used to pay for Louie’s funeral, with any remaining funds donated to the hospital.
Reflecting on Louie’s short yet impactful life, Megan expressed disbelief, saying, “I still can’t believe it. On his death certificate, it says flu.” The family remains united in grief as they honor the memory of their joyful and vibrant little boy.