A five-year-old boy who died after being sent home from a Sydney emergency department last week has been remembered as a kind, easy going and well-mannered little boy.
Nathan Ung, from Wahroonga in Sydney's north, was taken to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai hospital in the early hours of August 31 suffering stomach pain. He was sent home four hours later.
After his condition deteriorated rapidly he was taken to the private Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAN) that afternoon, where he died two hours later.
Nathan's family friends have set up a crowdfunding page for his funeral.
"Our dear friends Kavin and Ellen have been struck by the most unthinkable tragedy. On Thursday, they lost their son Nathan. Only hours before he was taken to hospital complaining of stomach pain. His condition deteriorated rapidly and he died in their arms," the page said.
"He will forever be remembered as the most energetic, kind, easy going and well-mannered little boy. He was only 5 when his life was cruelly cut short.
"Kavin and Ellen are now faced with the difficult task of organising Nathan's funeral."
The GoFundMe page had raised $20,730 by Thursday morning.
Nathan's parents said they were "deeply touched" by the donations and messages from both friends and strangers.
"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts," they said in a post on the page.
Nathan's death is being investigated by the coroner as well as the NSW Chief Paediatrician.
In NSW Budget estimates on Wednesday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was not known what caused Nathan's death.
"I just want to say again to the family how sorry I am as the Health Minister ... and to say to them, 'if there's anything we can do, obviously, we will do it to support them'," Mr Hazzard said.
"I have had discussions with staff at the hospital to establish what is known.
"At this point, all I can really say to you is that there's no indication as to what actually caused the passing of this little boy."
Mr Hazzard called for the Health Department to review the death very closely.
"I've asked the Health Department... to review the situation as closely as they can and to support the family in any way they can," he said.
"There'll be a coronial hearing at some point and that'll be in the purview of the chief coroner as to when they appoint that hearing."