Mystery sudden death after op

Clinton-John Botha died in Christchurch Hospital last month. Photo / Supplied

The mother of a young soldier who died in hospital after undergoing minor surgery is angry no one can tell her why.

South African-born Clinton-John Botha, 21, died in Christchurch Hospital last month after he underwent decompression surgery on his brain.

His mother Charlotte Botha said he had been suffering severe headaches as a result of a type two chiari malformation - a condition where the brainstem, cranial nerves, and the lower portion of the cerebellum may be stretched or compressed.

"Every time he did any physical activity, like running fast, he would get really debilitating headaches," she said.

"So he couldn't do what he wanted to do. He could still be in the army but he couldn't do the physical stuff that he loved."

Charlotte took Clinton-John to Christchurch Hospital on Thursday March 5 and he was admitted for surgery the next day.

"I stayed with him while the registrar briefed him on what he was going to do, and the risks. Then I stayed with him for a few hours."

Charlotte saw her son after surgery and said he was talking and recovering well. "I spent the afternoon with him and went home at about 9pm. His fiancee stayed with him until midnight and he was texting her after that."

But the next morning something went horribly wrong.

"I was asleep so I missed the call from the nurse. Then Clinton's fiancee texted me and said 'Charlotte you have to come to the hospital really quickly'. I told her I would have a shower and then come, but she said 'no Charlotte, you have to come now'."

Charlotte rushed to the hospital, but her son was already dead. "I went into his room and he was not there. I asked the nurse if he had been moved to ICU or something and she took my arm and told me he had passed away."

No one could tell Charlotte what caused Clinton-John's death. A month later, she is still in the dark. "The hospital cannot tell me anything. They did a post mortem but they say they are still investigating. They cannot give me his cause of death. It's very difficult."

The Canterbury District Health Board said a review of the circumstances of Clinton-John's death was under way. "Families are supported in these circumstances and fully and openly involved with any reviews carried out. The CDHB has already made contact with the family through the surgeon who has been speaking with them," a spokeswoman said.

Clinton-John's death would be referred to the coroner.

"I just have so many questions," Charlotte said.

She said she was struggling to come to terms with her son's death. "When they told me I just said 'no ... no' and then I started crying. I contacted his father and brothers and then I went to see him. I just sat and sat."

She said Clinton-John was outgoing and lively and had been in the army about three years.

During that time he served in Tonga and East Timor.

"I don't know how a family goes on after something like this. He was the centre of this family. Easter is hard ... even though he was 21 he had to have a treasure hunt."

She said he was looking forward to his wedding - planned for January - and had almost finished paying for the rings when he died.

"His fiancee is struggling. They have known each other since they were 15. We are very close, she has been at our house almost every day," Charlotte said.

"Her whole future and her whole life is gone."