“He had a seizure which caused catastrophic brain pressure. Matthew would not be able to come back from this.”
Matthew Liddle is survived by his wife and young son. Photo / Givealittle
Liddle worked as an emergency medical technician and was in his final year of studies to become a qualified paramedic.
The page said he was born with heart defects and had multiple open-heart operations.
The last surgery involved a mechanical heart valve, which required lifelong blood-thinning medication and monitoring.
Around six months ago, he had a brain aneurysm which caused “a massive bleed in the back of the brain”.
The blood thinners meant the bleed progressed rapidly.
Since then, family members have been sharing updates about his journey.
Some described signs of recovery, with a post in March saying he had come a long way and was feeling positive.
Other updates mentioned the emotional toll of the injury and setbacks he faced through infections.
More than $37,000 has been donated to the page, which was made to help cover living expenses, travel to and from the hospital, childcare needs and other costs after his aneurysm.
Matthew Liddle, following his brain aneurysm earlier in the year. Photo / Givealittle
A social media tribute from Hato Hone St John Cambridge said Liddle started with the ambulance service as a cadet before moving into volunteer work in Te Aroha, where he remained living with his family.
“Matthew was a highly respected emergency medical technician at Matamata Station. He started his paid career with St John in Cambridge.
“He will be remembered for the kindness, compassion, and genuine care he showed to his patients, colleagues, and everyone he met.”
Liddle brought a positive outlook to those around him and made a lasting impact on the communities he served, the post said.
The Givealittle page said Liddle did not have life insurance and asked for donations to help with funeral costs.
He is survived by his wife and young son.