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29th Oct 2017

14-year-old model dies moments before taking to the runway in China

She was suffering from severe exhaustion.

Orlaith Condon

The teen collapsed just moments before walking a runway in Shaghai.

Vlada Dzyuba collapsed backstage at a fashion show in China suffering from chronic meningitis “compounded by severe exhaustion” and later died, according to The Siberian Times.

The 14-year-old spent two days in a coma before she tragically succumbed to her illness.

It is being reported that the young model felt too scared to seek medical attention and was working far more than her contract allowed.

As her temperature soared, it is said the model was told to continue working despite her worrying health.

It is also being said that she was not covered by medical insurance despite having spent three months working with a major Chinese modelling agency.

This lack of insurance then meant Dzyuba was unable to be taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The young model’s mother says she was exhausted but refused to get help.

“She was calling me, saying ‘Mama, I am so tired. I so much want to sleep.’,” she told NTV.

“I didn’t sleep myself and was calling her constantly, begging her to go to the hospital.”

There is an increasing number of young models between the ages of 14 and 16 being recruited from Russia to work in Chinese fashion industry.