Heartbreak has struck a Bristol family after a two-year-old boy died suddenly at home, years after developing what appeared to be flu-like symptoms that were later diagnosed as a rare and potentially deadly childhood illness.
Hudson Martin, from Knowle, collapsed while playing at home on January 8, just weeks before his third birthday.
Despite desperate efforts by paramedics and specialist teams who worked for more than an hour, the toddler could not be saved.
Hudson had been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at just seven months old after becoming seriously unwell with symptoms initially thought to be a common childhood illness.
The rare condition, which causes inflammation in the blood vessels and can damage the heart, is notoriously difficult to diagnose and often mistaken for flu, measles, or other viral infections.
His parents say Hudson deteriorated rapidly as a baby, becoming increasingly weak and immobile as doctors carried out repeated tests while ruling out other conditions.
There is no single test for Kawasaki disease, meaning it is usually diagnosed only after other illnesses have been excluded.
By the time the condition was identified, Hudson required intensive treatment including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and infliximab.
He remained in hospital for around five weeks before being discharged in October 2024. Although his condition had improved, the disease had already caused lasting damage.
Hudson was left with giant aneurysms in his coronary arteries – among the most severe doctors had seen – and was placed on lifelong medication, including aspirin and blood thinners to reduce the risks of clots.
Despite the seriousness of his condition, Hudson went on to live what appeared to be a normal, joyful life.
His father Damien Martin, 40, told Bristol Live: ‘You’d never know anything was wrong from pictures or videos. He bounced off everything. He loved climbing, dancing, music; he was a proper daredevil.’
A GoFundMe page set up by relatives describes Hudson as a typical little boy who ‘loved to dance and loved a beat’.
He was adored by his three brothers – Kieran, 22, and nine-year-old twins Ashton and Preston.
Hudson bruised easily and occasionally suffered nosebleeds due to his medication, but remained fiercely independent.
His mother Natalie Smith, 39, said he had a huge personality and an unstoppable zest for life, always wanting to do everything for himself.
Tragically, it was Natalie – trained by medical staff to administer injections, monitor Hudson’s blood levels, and perform CPR – who tried to save her son after he suddenly collapsed at home.
Even at just two-years-old, Hudson appeared to sense something was wrong and attempted to go upstairs to get help before losing consciousness.
Paramedics and specialist teams rushed to the family home and worked tirelessly to revive him.
Damien said: ‘They did absolutely everything they could. His heart just wouldn’t come back.’
Hudson died at home that day, leaving his parents devastated.
He is currently resting at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s Rainbow Room, where his family visits him every day. Damien said the silence at home since his death has been unbearable.
A post-mortem examination is being carried out in Southampton, but the family has been told it could take up to a year to receive the full results.
Doctors have not yet been able to explain what caused Hudson’s sudden death, with possibilities including a clot or rupture linked to the damage caused by Kawasaki disease.
Natalie said: ‘We don’t know what happened. It could have been a clot, a rupture – we just don’t know. That’s the hardest part.’
Despite their unimaginable grief, Hudson’s parents are determined that his story should raise awareness of Kawasaki disease and its symptoms, particularly because they so closely mimic common illnesses and are sometimes not immediately recognised – even by medical professionals.
They are urging parents to trust their instincts and push for further checks if something does not feel right, stressing that early treatment can be crucial.
As the family now faces the heartbreak of arranging a funeral for their young son, loved ones are raising money to help support them during the weeks ahead.
‘Hudson was the apple of his mum and dad’s eye,’ the GoFundMe page reads. ‘As you can imagine, this is completely heartbreaking for all of us.’
