A VACCINE sceptic who begged Brits to get the Covid jab after he fell ill has died of the virus.
Removal firm boss Brian Lynch bravely warned others from intensive care not to delay getting the jab, as he did.
The 46-year-old wasn’t an anti-vaxxer – but wanted more long-term data on the vaccine’s effects before agreeing to have it.
He was admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital on July 7, and vowed to friends he could get inoculated if he recovered.
But tragically Brian, of Blackburn, Lancashire, was later placed in a medically-induced coma, and died with wife Gina at his side on July 31.
Pals had organised a pub fundraiser to support him ahead of his move home.
Now Nicky Ashton, who planned the event before Brian’s death, has urged others to get the vaccine.
BRAVE BRIAN WARNED OTHERS
The night went ahead after Brian died, and Nicky said: “Brian would have wanted the day to go ahead.
“We filled the pub inside and out – the day turned into a celebration full of love, tears and lots of talk and fond memories of Brian.
“Most of Blackburn followed his story over the three weeks that Brian was in a coma and almost everyone you spoke to knew of his fight.
“He really was one of the best people, that would help anyone out and he will be missed so much by so many.”
Writing on Facebook on July 7, Brian explained how he “wasn’t feeling well”, adding that despite his concerns over the jab, he’d had a test.
“I sent off for a PCR test more in the interests of my family, friends and business customers. It came back positive,” he said.
“I’ll be honest, I thought it was the vulnerable and the elderly who got hospitalised.
“Well, as I found out the hard way, my oxygen levels went down to 52 per cent and I could not get my breath.
“It’s the most frightened I’ve ever been and I felt like I was being suffocated in my own body.
“I’m now on ICU in Blackburn and been on a ventilator since I arrived trying to strengthen my lungs up and get me oxygen levels back up.
“So to anyone that may have similar sort of thoughts to this (as) I had, I just have to say this – I hope it doesn’t get you.”
He said he’d been put on a ventilator in intensive care, alongside a selfie from ICU, and added: “Hopefully I’ll be out soon”.
A few days later, on July 12, he wrote: “Well, been awake since 4.45am. Woke up coughing fit again – just managed to calm down after nearly an hour.
“This Covid cough really is brutal can’t wait for it to dissipate. Can’t catch ya breath with it, just takes all your energy.”
