Laura Tanner, her husband Kevin, and their younger son had the same symptoms, but while the others bounced back, Laura didn't.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 14, 2022. It has since been updated.
A mother-of-two and hospital worker, Laura Tanner, succumbed to the deadly effects of Covid while lying in her husband's arms. He is now speaking out about how "horrific" it was to helplessly watch her pass away. Laura was employed with the NHS for over a decade and had worked as a locality administrator for Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group as well, reported Sky News. She died on April 1 after contracting the deadly virus. Kevin Tanner who held her in his arms as her breath became "shallower and shallower" says "It was horrific - I still have nightmares." He added, "Laura hadn't been able to get out of bed on most days or eat, but this day she had got up and was fumbling around downstairs," Kevin said.
Kevin, Laura and their younger son [she has two sons Ethan and Kian] fell sick at the same time with "nasty flu-like symptoms." Therefore, the family decided to practice self-isolation and follow the health guideline laid out by the government. However, while the father-son duo managed to bounce back, Laura's condition deteriorated and the symptoms worsened.
She had a high fever and it kept increasing. So Kevin was forced to call the paramedics. "I went down to check on her and it was like she was having a bad panic attack," Kevin said. "She was struggling for a breath and was asking me to calm her down. I called 999 and got Laura a paper bag and sat with her but her breathing just got shallower and shallower," he recalled.
He went on, "Her eyes went small and I could see it, she was going and then she passed." Just five days after she started showing the symptoms, Laura passed away. "Paramedics came within 10 minutes and four of them worked on her for about an hour then took her away," Kevin stated. "Around 45 minutes later two of them came and knocked on the door and said 'we are really sorry, she's gone'."
The day I found out that my dad held Laura in his arms after failing to keep her alive, is the day my heart broke for the first time, I will never be able to imagine what my dad is going through, trying to keep the person you love alive, must be the scariest thing in the world 💔 https://t.co/BcLwtogF74
— Holly Tanner (@HollyTanner_) April 27, 2020
Her obituary in Dignity Funeral read, "It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Jane Tanner. Laura passed away on the 1st April, aged 51 years. She will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends." Kevin is now determined to raise awareness about how deadly the virus actually is. "I just want to raise awareness of just how easy it is for this virus to take someone you love away from you," he said. "This virus is real and takes lives, no matter who. Please stay inside and save lives." He went on, "Laura was the most wonderful, warm, fantastic wife and mother we could have wished for. Not a day has gone by where we haven't missed Laura around."
A JustGiving page to help the family financially as they deal with the passing of Laura has been set up. "This is such a tragic situation and I hope you will join me in passing on your condolences to Kev. Thank you for your support at this time," the description on the page read.
The page got heartwarming responses from people and it surpassed its goal amount of £500 ($623) in no time. In fact, the campaign made an overwhelming amount of £4,000. Kevin thanked the community for their immense generosity and support.
He wrote on the page: "hello everyone Thankyou So so much from myself and Laura’s 2 boys Ethan and Kian. We are extremely grateful and shocked by all your generosity, love, and support from everyone above and beyond who’s donated and given their time and energy and gone out of their way to help us and of course Laura. She was an amazing wife and mother. Not a day has gone by where we haven’t missed Laura around. She’s going to be sorely missed in our Hearts and lives. So Thankyou All very very much. Love to All xxx Kev."
“She was fantastic,” Kevin said, according to Express & Star. “She was very loving, caring. She was friendly to everyone." He continued, “I’m having stories coming through where she would just randomly meet people at the bus stop, friends that she’d made, just got talking to people, they’ve laid flowers on the doorstep... She was a kind soul.”
References:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kevtanner
Cover Image Source: Dignity Funeral
