Dad dies suddenly after 'buying venomous spiders online'
A dad has died suddenly just days after being bitten by what his family believe was a venomous spider.
Mark Anthony Kirby, 38, from Prescot, in Merseyside, passed away on Saturday, August 2, leaving behind his two teenage children.
His former partner of 16 years, Kayleigh Gill – mum to his children – told the Liverpool Echo that Mark had recently bought several spiders online and had been bitten by one only weeks before his death.
Days later, Mark travelled to Scotland with Kayleigh, her partner and her sister for a short break. Despite feeling unwell, Kayleigh said he was still in good spirits and 'playing pranks' during a family meal at Toby Carvery before heading home on July 26.
In the days that followed, the dad-of-two suffered flu-like symptoms, complaining of hot and cold sweats and aching limbs.
On August 2, Mark phoned Kayleigh's sister Kath, who lives nearby in Knowsley, telling her he was struggling to breathe. She rushed to his flat and called 999, but he collapsed soon after. Paramedics arrived around lunchtime but were unable to save him.
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Paying tribute, Kayleigh described Mark as 'funny, caring, outgoing and such a people person,' adding: 'He was a brilliant dad to our two children and was always the life and soul of the party. Even though we had split up, we were best friends. He put our children first.'
She explained that while a post-mortem has not confirmed the cause of death, the family believes the suspected spider bite triggered his decline.
Kayleigh added: 'He told me about the bite and I said he needed to go to hospital but he didn't. People shouldn't be able to buy these spiders online – there should be licences to own them. I'm in complete shock.'
Mark is survived by his son Nathan-Mark, 18, and daughter Kimmy-Louise, 17.
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