A 16-YEAR-OLD student has died from

meningitis six days after falling ill.

Martin Clarke, who was on a computer course at Crawley College, was taken to Crawley Hospital and then transferred to St Mary's Hospital, London, where he died.

Martin, of Glanville Walk, Bewbush, was a former pupil at Thomas Bennet school and had been attending the college since September. He was a Venture Scout who was also interested in travel.

His family was too upset to talk about the tragedy.

Today Crawley College spokesman Sarah Radley, warned other students not to panic.

She said: "Despite this tragedy, West Sussex Health Authority does not

expect any further cases of meningitis within the college and have assured us that the risk of contracting the disease is very, very small indeed.

"Everyone is very sad for the family and quite shocked because you don't expect this to happen on your doorstep."

She added counselling was being offered to all students, who are also being given details of funeral arrangements if they want to attend.

Students on Martin's computing course were allowed to go home early after being told the news.

The college has been in touch with his family to offer its condolences.

Martin died from septicaemia brought on by a strain of the group C meningococcal infection.

A mass meningitis C vaccination programme was arranged some time ago for the 1,267

15 to 17-year-old students at the college, starting on December 3. It is going ahead as planned and the date is not being brought forward.

Howard Eastcott, a specialist in communicable disease

control with the authority, said: "This is a tragic case because we are in the window period and if it had been a month later Martin would have been okay."

Laurie Hyland, Martin's house co-ordinator at the

college, said he had been a very hard working and quiet pupil. He added: "He was very popular and had lots of friends."

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