Tributes and donations are pouring in for a Hoppers Crossing law student who died after suffering an asthma attack earlier this week.
Hope Carnevali, 20, drew her last breath on her front lawn as family members desperately waited for an ambulance that came 30 minutes after it was called.
Hope was one of hundreds to be struck down with what has been referred to as “thunderstorm asthma”, triggered by the sudden, thundery cool change that swept across Melbourne on Monday afternoon.
An online fundraising page set up yesterday to help Hope’s family cover the cost of her funeral has already raised more than $16,500, with many leaving personal messages along with their donations.
Among the messages, Mariam said Hope was a “beautiful girl gone too soon”, and Carol wrote “you and your family are in my thoughts….your loss is unimaginable and your pain inconsolable”.
Hope’s uncle, John Carnevali, said the family was “overwhelmed” by the donations.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said.
“When I heard about it, I cried. My sister [Hope’s mother] is a single mum, she works hard. This [the donations] will come in handy.”
Mr Carnevali said Hope’s family do not blame paramedics for the time it took them to reach the family home.
However, he said emergency services should give an estimated time of arrival so families can make a snap decision on whether they should drive to hospital themselves.
“If we can fix it or make it [the system] better, that’s all we want. It’s not going to bring back Hope, but it might save somebody’s life.”
State health minister Jill Hennessy said the Inspector-General would conduct an inquiry into the resourcing and co-ordination of emergency services on Monday night.
Ambulance Victoria was flooded with more than 1800 calls – more than six times their usual workload – after the storm hit Melbourne, prompting a “major disaster response” from emergency services.
Principal Andrew Watson from Thomas Carr College, where Hope went to high school, said the school community was “deeply saddened” by her passing.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family, and we have done that ourselves already,” Mr Watson said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Hope’s family at this very sad time.
“It’s very tragic circumstances and it’s certainly a life lost far too early.
“Hope was a good student, she certainly enjoyed her time here at school. She was a very personable student and she certainly tried her best at everything she participated in.”
– With The Age
