Student’s Tragic Death from Asthma Attack Sparks Urgent Health Warning

The family of a student who died following an asthma attack in a nightclub is urging young adults to take the condition seriously. Zoe Nunn, a 20-year-old politics student at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, suffered a cardiac arrest after an asthma attack in May 2022. Despite a history of asthma, she had not experienced an attack for years and was not carrying her blue reliever inhaler at the time.

Zoe’s mother, Louise Nunn, along with her father, Mark, and sister, Lily, have partnered with Asthma + Lung UK to raise awareness among students about the importance of always carrying their inhalers. “Zoe was in a nightclub with friends when she went to the toilet and was later found collapsed in cardiac arrest,” Mrs. Nunn recounted.

The family received a traumatic call from police in the middle of the night. They were informed that Zoe’s condition was critical due to the length of time she had been in cardiac arrest. “Although they managed to restore her heartbeat, she suffered significant brain damage,” Mrs. Nunn said. Ultimately, they were told to gather family members to say goodbye.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Zoe’s cardiac arrest was caused by an asthma attack. Data from the NHS indicates that emergency asthma admissions among young people aged 15 to 24 typically increase by 70 percent during autumn compared to summer. In England, cases surged from 235 emergency admissions in August 2024 to 640 in October.

The Nunn family now grapples with the loss of Zoe’s future. “She had plans to pursue an MA in journalism in Edinburgh,” Mrs. Nunn shared. “There were many experiences she wanted to have, including a proper relationship, which she never got to explore.” The family has also faced the heartbreak of Zoe not meeting her sister’s newborn child.

In a gesture of compassion, they chose to donate Zoe’s organs, including her kidneys, heart, liver, corneas, and blood vessels. “We want to raise awareness because even if we can change one person’s perspective and encourage them to carry an inhaler, we could prevent another family from experiencing this tragedy,” Mrs. Nunn stated.

She emphasized the critical need for young adults with asthma to register with a doctor when they start university and to have an asthma action plan. “Zoe also hadn’t registered with a doctor at university; she didn’t have her asthma plan with her,” she noted. “If we can encourage young people to take these steps, we hope to spare other families from our pain.”

Dr. Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, echoed these sentiments. “Going to university is an exciting time, but it is essential that young people with asthma know how to access the right care when they move away from home,” he said. He urged students to be vigilant about their inhalers and to ensure friends and flatmates are aware of their condition.

“It is also crucial that students know what to do in the event of an asthma attack and have a plan for reaching the nearest hospital,” Dr. Whittamore added. The first few weeks of university can present a perfect storm of asthma triggers, including cigarette smoke, vapour, alcohol, new foods, stress, and exposure to viral infections.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Zoe’s death serve as a stark reminder of the importance of asthma management among young adults. As her family continues to cope with their loss, they hope to inspire others to take asthma seriously and prioritize their health.