A THURROCK man has spoken of the 'amazing' care and dedication of the staff at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital who helped him survive three weeks when he was 'knocking at death's door' because of coronavirus.

Barry 'Cass' Carrington, 70, of Southend Road, Grays, was taken ill more four weeks ago, suffering the early symptoms of the virus.

He thinks he picked it up on a trip to London or at a funeral, saying: "I only went out twice really in the those first few days when I was out of my normal circle of family and close friends, none of whom has been infected. Once to London when I was consulting on some work" – even at 70 Cass is still in demand for his skills and advice accrued over a lifetime in the steel construction industry – "and once to a funeral. It shows how easy it can be to catch this, I thought I was relatively safe but I certainly wasn't.

"For a few days I was ill and eventually because so ill I had to go to the hospital. I didn't get any better and was certainly going downhill. They asked me if I wanted to go onto a ventilators and I just said 'please save my life'.

"These people are amazing"

"I don't recall that much after that. I was in and out of it, but I do remember the tremendous care they showed me.

"Those people are amazing. They were there to hold my hand, to touch me and let me know I wasn't alone even though I couldn't have my family with me. "

Cass was in the intensive care unit (ICU) for seven days. It was touch and go many times if he would pull through, but eventually he began to get better. But he was far from safe.

Though he was over the worst of the breathing issues, Cass was weak and vulnerable. And as someone in remission from leukemia, he was scared that with an already weak and battered immune system, he might be prey to the secondary infection that has claimed so many other lives.

"I hadn't really thought about dying before I came out of ICU. I was so ill and knocking on death's door when I was first in there I didn't really think about anything, I was just so weak and poorly. But when I came through ICU I knew I was still vulnerable.

"And I wondered then if I would make it."

But luck, aided and abetted by the determination and care of all the staff at the hospital, was on his side and last week he was discharged.

From the armchair of his home, in the care of his family of wife Tina, daughters Cresta and Franka – and her partner Darren – he spoke of his and their gratitude to staff at Basildon.

"They are quite simply amazing. They have saved so many lives. They must all be absolutely shattered because they are working so long and so hard.

"It's not just the caring, they are constantly changing their protective clothing, they swap gowns and gloves between each patient, and they are just on their feet constantly.

"But despite all that, they let you know they are there and caring for you, by touch and by words.

They have done a wonderful job. I know not everyone made it through, but they have been doing everything they possibly can to save people.

"Tremendous comnfort"

"And they don't just care for the patients. My family were ringing up to find out what was happening. It would have been so easy to brush them aside because they are so busy but they always took time to talk and to explain. They were a tremendous comfort to my family."

For the moment it's rest and recuperation for Cass, and he says he also can't thank his family enough for their love and support, picking out Darren, saying: "He has been tremendous, sorting everything out and looking after my family.

"I am so looking forward now to this being over and we can start to get back to normal. I am looking forward to getting back a few doors down the road and back into my local 'The RAFA Club' and seeing everyone again.

"But I will never, ever forget what those wonderful people at Basildon Hospital have done for me and my family. They truly are amazing."

Sadly, not everyone will be back at the RAFA when it opens its doors again. Three longer –serving members have passed away in recent times, two with coronavirus-related conditions – and the club's flag flies at half mast in their honour.

Long-serving member Linda Callander passed away after a long battle with illness just prior to the coronavirus pandemic but Reg Kingham, 89, and Frank Elliott, 85 have recently passed away.

Reg was being cared for in a home in Bedford near his family, but Frank, a D-Day veteran and a holder of the French Légion d'honneur still lived locally.

Frank flew with Bomber Command in the Second World War on special operations. On D-Day his mission was to fly up and down the French coast using anti-radar technology to baffle the German defences as the Allies' armada approached.

He served on many other missions and was highly decorated for his service. His funeral will take place on Monday, 18 May at Corbets Tey. The cortege will past the RAFA Club where club members will pay tribute. Reg's funeral will also take place on Monday, 18 May.