Bride dies just hours after getting married

On the weekend, a woman died of meningococcal disease just hours after marrying the love of her life.

Twenty-six-year-old Jamieka McCarthy Hartford died in Auckland on Saturday after falling ill during her wedding ceremony. 

Her sudden death was caused by a bacterial infection linked to meningitis.

Jamieka’s husband, Alistair John, told Newshub that her sudden death was a devastating shock.

“Her passing was a huge shock to everybody to lose her so quickly and this has been incredibly difficult to process," he said.

“She was taken from us without notice by a horrible, deadly disease.”

The wedding ceremony took place on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, with photos showing an overjoyed bride walking down the golf course on a sunny day.

Jamieka’s mother Linda explained on social media that her daughter had just exchanged vows with “the man she loves" when she began to feel unwell.

A statement from Jamieka’s family to Newshub said, “Jamieka was so happy to be married and the wedding was a beautiful, happy occasion surrounded by love.”

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Her family described Jamieka as “the most kind-hearted person in the world who loved life and she always put others before herself. She was a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She will be missed forever."

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service confirmed it is investigating the death which is believed to have been caused by meningococcal disease.

ARPHS said it was working closely with family and friends to prevent further transmission of the deadly disease.

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria spread by very close contact or hours of prolonged contact with an infected person and can be fatal if not recognised.