A FAMILY man has been branded “the walking miracle of Basildon Hospital” after coming out of a ten-day coma and beating coronavirus.

Malcolm Kitts immediately knew something was wrong when visiting his mother’s home in Wickford, when he began having severe shooting pains in his head.

Echo:

Couple - Malcolm and Tina

The 62-year-old, from Corringham, had only just returned from his visit to Spain in March when he began coughing, sneezing and experiencing a feeling similar to an electric shock in his body.

Malcolm, who spent ten days in an induced coma and given a 50/50 chance of survival, was given his new nickname after being released from hospital.

He has thanked NHS staff for saving his life, adding: “I knew my chances were slim and I didn’t think I’d come out of it.

“I really did fight for my family. My lungs have been damaged and doctors have said it will take about four to six months to recover.

“I’m here and lucky to be alive, I’ve got the strongest wife who I’ve been with since I was 15 and have the best family looking out for me. I can’t thank the NHS who cared for me through it all enough.”

On March 17 he was rushed to Basildon Hospital, before being put on a ventilator and into an induced coma just five days later.

The family, who were told to prepare for the worst, were distraught to find that Malcolm was battling not only coronavirus, but also viral pneumonia and sepsis.

His wife Tina Kitts, 62, said: “It was horrifying, I truly thought we were going to lose him and that I’d never see him again. When the ambulance took him, the hardest part was not being able to go with him and be by his side.

“He was put on Florence Nightingale but told if he stayed there he would die, so they moved him into intensive care (ICU) to put him to sleep. He went down knowing he had a 50/50 chance of surviving.

“The consultant would ring in the evening to update me, even when they’re so busy with everything going on. We will be eternally grateful to the hospital and ambulance staff for saving him.”

Amanda Kitts, Malcolm’s sister-in-law, made a window poster to thank Basildon Hospital.

The 54-year-old from North Weald, added: “He was branded the walking miracle of Basildon Hospital and the NHS went above and beyond to look after him, so I thought we could do something to lift spirits. I shared what we had done on social media and have had a few doctors and nurses, who cared for Malcolm, say thank you and to check on him, which is incredible.”

David Walker, Medical Director, Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust, said: “Malcolm’s story of recovery and his admiration for the NHS workers who cared for him is exactly why we are running our #thankyou campaign.

"Our staff and our wider healthcare partners  are doing a brilliant job, it’s really encouraging to witness the community spirit.

"We will continue to share stories of hope and inspiration, both from patients and the dedicated staff who are going above and beyond to save lives. I also want to reassure everyone that we are doing everything we can to keep our staff safe and well.”