The Buchmeyer twins warmed the hearts of the world last week when their parents shared an adorable photo of them hugging, which went viral.
The image showed two tiny people, holding each for the first time, 11 days after being born. Clearly they had missed each other with Mason Buchmeyer, the stronger of the two twins, smiling as he appeared to be comforting his sick brother, Hawk inside his NICU crib.
But now there has been an outpouring of grief as news comes that one of the twins, Hawk has died.
Since birth Hawk has been battling a rare condition known as congenital diaphragmatic hernia – which means he suffered from a hole in the diaphragm, the muscle under the lungs that is responsible for breathing.
The twins’ parents, Brandy Guettler and Tommy Buchmeyer had created a Facebook page to keep friends and family, and now strangers, updated on the twins condition and on Monday they broke the sad news.
The devastated parents wrote:
“Our hearts are saddened this morning as our sweet little man was called home to be with Jesus. He went very peacefully and we know he’s no longer suffering. Please give us some time to grieve and try to start the healing process.”
Hawk Buchmeyer/ Facebook.
Many have left messages of sympathy and support for the family have been written under the post.
“So sorry to hear this for your family. Prayers sent,” wrote one user.
“I am so sorry for your loss twins are such a blessing I’m so sorry for the grief your family,” wrote another.
Hawk had undergone numerous surgeries since his birth and he died in the Shands Children’s Hospital at The University of Florida in Gainesville.
The photo of the boys hugging has been shared more than 28 thousand times and garnered over 120 thousand likes.
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