29-year-old Blackpool man Sean loses battle with sepsis after being put into an induced coma

Sean Sowden, 29, of Hawes Side Lane, Marton, was put into an induced coma by medics at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after his sore throat turned into a sepsis infection and resulted in multiple organ failure.

He was transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital's ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) unit as a result of lung failure, caused by a Streptoccocus C infection perforating his lungs.

Sean had not been out of his coma since January 3 and his girlfriend of three years Clarice Moseley, 25, posted on Facebook to say he had died over the weekend.

Sean is step-dad to Clarice's three children Brea, eight, Layla, six and Oliver, three.

Speaking to the Gazette previously, Clarice said Sean's condition was improving.

She said: "When Sean was taken to Wythenshawe his lung capacity was just 20 - but now he's been getting up to 500.

"His chest drains have been taken out, and on Saturday (February 1) he was taken off his ECMO machine for a trial run."

The ECMO machine acts as Sean's lungs, breathing for him while he is too weak to breathe for himself.

Clarice continued: "They were supposed to do a trial run for five minutes, but he ended up breathing with just a ventilator for two and a half hours, which was absolutely amazing.

He's oxygenating his own body now, but we still haven't discussed his future with doctors, we aren't sure what's going to happen."

Miss Moseley described how difficult Sean's situation has been for the family, with 'exhausting' trips to and from the hospital two-to-three times a week.

She said: "All the kids miss him so much, it's horrible being here without him.

"I visit him as often as I can, but I have to ask family members to look after them when I get trains to Manchester.

"My eldest daughter Brea has been very upset and it's really affected her.

"Her school Waterloo Primary Academy have been really helpful, she has a special teacher to go to when she needs to talk and they've offered to help with after-school clubs."