A BC Coroner's report into a the death of a Comox Valley girl in March last year says the grade 11 student died from toxic shock syndrome -- a rare illness.
Sara Manitoski, 16, died in her sleep during a school trip to Hornby Island in March 2017. Classmates discovered the teen unresponsive while her alarm clock went off, and tried to wake her.
Staff, students and emergency responders performed CPR but she could not be revived.
The investigation found a strain of bacteria on a tampon found in place.
The illness occurs when a particular strain of bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, produces a toxin that enters the blood stream and overwhelms the immune system -- causing organ shutdown.
Symptoms include fever, dizziness, low blood pressure and a bright red skin rash, symptoms Sarah had been experiencing.
Island Health says in light of the tragic death they are reminding women to educate themselves about the safe use of tampons.