A FORMER borough mayor has spoken about his traumatic brush with death and paid public tribute to the life-saving teams at Basildon Hospital — thanking them and highlighting the "amazing" work they carry out every day.

Thurrock-born and bred Carl Morris was first elected to Thurrock Council in 1988 and served the Grays Riverside ward until 2010, when he stood down to contest the 2010 general election as Labour's candidate — unsuccessfully. He served as borough mayor during the 1999–2000 civic year.

Always active, Mr Morris had little awareness of the seriousness of an underlying heart condition until he was suddenly taken ill just before Christmas last year.

The first signs emerged in October while he was in Pittsburgh, USA, helping Kamala Harris and the Democrats during the U.S. elections.

Carl says: "It was a bucket-list experience, though the result was personally disappointing. Pittsburgh is particularly hilly, and I found myself struggling to walk up even small inclines, constantly stopping to catch my breath. I joked to my wife — borough councillor Valerie Morris-Cook — that I needed to get back to the gym.

"I returned to the UK in mid-November and soon began feeling unwell — restless, unable to sleep, constantly exhausted.

"Despite multiple visits to my GP (although I only saw an actual GP once), I was repeatedly reassured that my heart was fine, my lungs were clear, and I had no temperature. I was simply told I had the flu.

"But things got worse. I couldn't eat and spent most of my time asleep.

"By 29 December, things took a sharp turn. A visit to the out-of-hours GP led to an urgent referral to A&E, and Val rushed me to Basildon Hospital.

"When I arrived at a packed A&E that afternoon, I was fast-tracked — just 30 minutes in the waiting room before I was taken to majors. Proof that the triage system works.

"I then spent the next 24 hours in A&E on a drip. I was barely conscious, so my memories are hazy — but I do remember how incredible the staff were. Initially, doctors suspected liver failure but couldn't pinpoint the exact cause of my condition.

"I was admitted and spent the next seven weeks in hospital. It was later confirmed that I'd suffered what doctors described as a 'catastrophic event'.

"My heart was failing, and other vital organs were beginning to shut down. Had my wife not acted when she did, and had the A&E team not been as exceptional as they were, I wouldn't have survived.

"I don't remember much from those early weeks. I was moved several times and isolated twice due to infections I contracted while in hospital — first COVID, then RSV.

Basildon's cardiothoracic centre where Carl's life was saved.

"Further tests revealed the root cause: my aortic valve was completely blocked, placing immense strain on my heart and severely weakening it.

"I was eventually transferred to the James Mackenzie Ward. The initial plan was open-heart surgery to replace the valve — but my heart was in such poor condition that my consultant gave me only a 40% chance of surviving the operation. Open-heart surgery was no longer an option.

"At that point, I had reconciled myself to the possibility that I might die, but I never gave up hope.

"Instead, I was referred to the TAVI team to assess whether I was a candidate for a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

"Thankfully, I was. But by then, my condition had deteriorated. I was retaining fluid and my weight had ballooned to 111 kg (from 93 kg when I first arrived at A&E).

"To proceed, I had to lose both fluid and weight. My fluid intake was restricted and, with medication, I dropped to 82 kg.

"On Monday 3 February, I underwent the TAVI procedure. I immediately felt better. After a few days of excellent aftercare, I was discharged on Friday 7 February, and my recovery has continued from there."

Carl celebrated his reoversy and pathway back to health with a recent holiday with his wife, the "indomitable, indefatigable Val"

Mr Morris's journey to recovery began with walking. Short distances at first — but he now covers several kilometres a day.

During those walks, he has taken time to reflect on his experience and his own mortality. He decided to share his story as a tribute — to the hospital teams and to his family, especially the "indomitable, indefatigable Val", and friends who supported him throughout.

He told Nub News: "I wanted to convey the immense dedication and expertise of the staff at Basildon Hospital.

"They didn't just save my life — they went the extra mile for every patient, showing kindness, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

"I can't express enough gratitude to the incredible consultants, doctors, trainee doctors, and especially the nurses on every ward I stayed in — far too many to name.

"But I do want to give special thanks to the teams on the James Mackenzie Ward, Roding Ward, and the TAVI unit — particularly Dr Fawaz — who were simply outstanding. I will never, ever forget them. I still get emotional when I think about what they did for me."

Now five months into his recovery, progress is steady. Mr Morris walks most days to rebuild strength and stamina — six weeks in bed had caused significant muscle loss. One silver lining, he adds, was some much-needed weight loss.

"This experience has given me a new perspective on life. I'll always be grateful to the NHS staff who gave me a second chance.

"My message to anyone facing unexpected health issues is simple: keep fighting, never give up."