A 15-year-old girl died from untreated meningitis after ambulance staff ignored her symptoms and parental warnings.

A 15-year-old student, Zara Cheesman, died from meningitis in December 2024 after ambulance workers failed to recognize her symptoms, despite her parents' concerns and clear warning signs. A coroner found the ambulance assessment amounted to neglect, citing failures to follow policy, dismissals of her confusion, and incorrect medical records. The inquest concluded that her death could have been prevented if she had been taken to the hospital on December 21. The East Midlands Ambulance Service apologized and pledged to learn from the tragedy, while the coroner issued a prevention of future deaths report due to concerns about staff understanding of pediatric protocols.