College Rower Dies at 23 of Unusual Bacterial Infection After Thinking it Was Tonsillitis

Photo: GoFundMe

A 23-year-old college rower died suddenly ofa rare bacterial infection, after brushing off her symptoms as tonsillitis.

Samantha Scott was an accomplished coxswain for the women’s rowing team at Kansas State University, when she started feeling pain and swelling in her throat two weeks ago.

The college student, who was pursuing a degree in architectural engineering, died on Saturday.

Scott’s longtime friend from her hometown of Fort Morgan, Colorado, said that the athlete would always brighten her day.

“She could cheer you up if you were having a bad day, and just going to practice was like being with your family and being with someone who was always upbeat and happy,” Kennidi Cobbleytold Fox 31 in Denver.

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Cobbley set upa GoFundMe pageto help Scott’s parents with medical and funeral bills, and to set up a scholarship fund in her name.

“They’re struggling to deal with what’s happening, and now they have this huge financial burden, and if there’s anything I can do to help, it’s just really to get the message out there,” Cobbley said.

source: people.com