Tragedy as dad-of-four dies after going to bed complaining of having a headache

A healthy dad-of-four died after going to bed complaining of a headache.

Nicky Darer passed away four days after he 'unusually' took himself to bed early having developed the strange pain in his head on August 15.

His cousin Sarah Lewis told BirminghamLive, he was rushed to hospital when his concerned partner Rachel called an ambulance a few days after he said he had a headache.

The 37-year-old business owner, who lived in Burntwood, was initially admitted to Walsall Manor Hospital but his conditioned worsened and was moved to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

After five days in hospital, medics tried to carry out a CT scan on Nicky but his family said doctors had to stop half way through because he was deteriorating.

However lesions - areas of injury or disease - were discovered Nicky's his brain, heart, spleen and bowel due to infective endocarditis - an infection in the heart valves or endocardium.

Nicky need heart surgery and medics said the next two days would be 'crucial'.

Sadly he died from major organ failure caused by his condition during the six hour operation on August 26.

Mrs Lewis said: "The infection was that bad doctors had said it was highly unlikely he would have survived even after the op.

"Luckily his mom was able to see him the Tuesday night for two hours as she begged the hospital to see him. He had lost control of his body and his mom said it was like he had a stroke," his cousin said.

"The next morning on the day of the op, his brother saw him for two minutes before they called him down for the op then that day sadly it happened."

Nicky leaves behind his four heartbroken children, aged between three and 16, along with his partner, family and friends.

Mrs Lewis has launched a GoFundMe appeal with a target of £500 to help towards his funeral costs on September 18.

Paying tribute to her cousin in the appeal, she said: "Nicky was a popular person and I just want his children to see how much he is loved and for them they deserve their daddy to have the best send off.

"Please help and share and see what we can achieve.

"No mother should have to go through this and the children losing their daddy at such a young age and his partner shouldn't have to bring the children up on her own after spending 13 years together building their beautiful family, let alone try to explain to her children what’s happened.

"Truly heartbreaking for her and for her to have to be strong for her kids makes her such a strong person.

"Nicky you have left us way to soon. Love always. No matter how small the donation it will go far. Let’s do this together for the four children and good send off and maybe a keepsake if we can."