THE family of a 21-year-old nursery worker killed in hospital by coronavirus have expressed their pain and heartbreak.

Katie Horne had been taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath for tests on her liver.

She was transferred to Kings College Hospital in London where she was told she needed a transplant.

But Katie’s condition deteriorated rapidly when she contracted coronavirus, leaving her family devastated.

Her sister Emma Horne said: “We are heartbroken.

The Argus:

"There are no words to describe the feeling of what we are going through and the pain.

"We just never thought that this would happen.

“At any other time she would have been having a transplant and would have been coming home.”

Emma described how difficult it had been taking Katie to hospital and seeing her unable to recover from the disease.

Katie drifted in and out of consciousness, but was able to tell her family she loved them in her hospital bed.

But last week doctors told the family the shattering news that she could not get the liver transplant she needed because of her condition.

The Argus:

Father Tony said: “I’m devastated by it all, it is just an empty feeling.”

Emma said it is a strong reminder to everyone of why they need to listen to the Government advice to stay home.

She said: “No one is safe from coronavirus, young people’s lives are being taken as well as the old. NHS staff are risking their lives for us.

“It makes you realise how close to home this is.

“Katie was learning to drive and wanted to go travelling, and wanted to have children. But that was taken away from her so tragically and so quickly.

“She was a beautiful, bubbly girl and her smile took over her whole face. She was larger than life and had an infectious laugh.”

Katie attended the Downlands Community School in Hassocks and then the Central Sussex College in Crawley. She was studying a foundation degree in early years and childcare there.

Parents at the Rosebud Montessori Nursery where she worked say their children returned home smiling and learning the songs they had been taught by Katie.

Emma said: “She was caring and passionate, and was making good progress with her career.”

Tony added: “Katie enjoyed life and loved children. We have had lots of messages from people. All our memories are happy ones.”

They both said they could read the mood Katie was in from her eyes and eyebrows, and said her smile would light up a room.

Katie’s boyfriend Jamie Carter wrote on Facebook: “It’s with great sadness that we have to inform all of Kate’s friends that she sadly passed away of a short illness and contributing to her death is this devastating coronavirus. She will always be loved and will forever be in our hearts.”

They say when the coronavirus crisis is over, they will hold events to remember and celebrate Katie’s life.

A Just Giving page has been set up in her memory. Visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/katie-horne7.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund