The heartbroken parents of a “fit and healthy” 15-year-old boy who died on a school trip to Germany said more should have been done to prevent his death.
It was the “trip of a lifetime” but Blackburn High student Timothy Fehring never made it home.
There were two members of staff accompanying the 17 students on the 2019 trip to Europe, with Timothy’s death in the week leading to a review of school staffing requirements on international tours.
Blackburn High School student Timothy Fehring never returned home after his trip to Europe. (new)
After leaving Melbourne and arriving in Berlin on June 23, Timothy became instantly ill and texted his mother: “I almost threw up and I’m working on getting better so I can have a better time” .
His parents, Barbara and Dale Fehring, said their son never complained and rejected claims he was simply “homesick” before his death.
“He was a super fit and healthy kid and he would never want to make a fuss or draw attention to himself,” Barbra told 9News.
The health of the “fit” teenager declines rapidly
Timothy persisted with the activities, but became violently ill, vomiting into dumpsters on hikes and eating very little for the first two days of his trip.
A teacher took him to a pharmacy and they gave him medication after explaining his symptoms. He woke up the next day and asked his mother to take him home.
“He expressed his dissatisfaction with how he was being treated,” the coroner’s findings state.
The 15-year-old was taken to Munich Children’s Hospital and “examined thoroughly” by a doctor, who diagnosed his illness as a combination of homesickness, constipation and gastroenteritis.
The staff member mentioned to the doctor that Tim was homesick, and the doctor said that his symptoms might be related to that.
The heartbroken parents of a teenager who died on a school trip to Germany said more should have been done to prevent his death. (new)
After six hours, Tim left the hospital with the staff member.
On June 27, the group traveled to Vienna, Austria, and went on a walking tour of the city that Timothy participated in even though he asked not to go.
The coroner’s findings state that he was carrying a “vomit bag”, walking slowly and appearing tired. Timothy asked to return to the hospital, but the staff denied this request.
After throwing up his dinner that night, staff contacted Timothy’s parents and arranged for him to fly home.
The following day, Timothy was taken to see a GP to secure a fitness to travel certificate so he could return home alone on 29 June.
He was found unresponsive on the floor with blood pouring from his nose after going into the hallway for air.
He was hospitalized but died on June 28.
An autopsy revealed he had a “very acute” infection in his stomach and lungs and had a heart attack.
Blackburn High School student Timothy Fehring on the plane during his trip. (new)
‘I wasn’t homesick’: parents calling for change
The Fehrings said they were not told how sick their son was. They are calling for a change in the ratio of teachers to students for trips abroad.
Barbra acknowledged that the trip staff was trained in first aid, but said a better understanding of the students could have saved her son.
“All he wanted to do was please everybody,” she said.
“When he said he was sick and said something was wrong, that was the truth.
“Nobody was their defender, we think it’s important to have more adult/student ratios.
The Melbourne mother said a school nurse would have better understood her son’s health and could have helped save Timothy’s life.
“They would have picked up the signs quicker and we wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
The devastated family of a teenager who died on a school trip to Europe have spoken out. (new)
In his findings, coroner Simon McGregor called on the Department for Education and Training to increase the ratio of staff to students on international trips.
His second recommendation was to make sure there were enough resources in case someone fell ill.
“With the benefit of hindsight, staff made the wrong judgment that Tim’s complaints were not serious enough,” McGregor commented.
The department said changes have been made and a group the size Tim was in would now require three adults.
The Fehrings are still mourning the death of their son.
“Kids shouldn’t be dying, this is so tragic,” said father Dale.
“It hits you hard and it’s been a tough three years. We’ve tried to cope.”