‘Fit and healthy’ dad died on way to hospital after suffering sudden coronavirus relapse

A ‘fit and healthy’ dad who appeared to have been recovering from coronavirus died gasping for breath after suffering a sudden relapse.

Dom Merrix appeared to have overcome the virus, but his condition took a turn for the worse and the 48-year-old suddenly collapsed on Thursday morning at his home in Portsmouth.

His partner Sarah Merrix, 44, and their 10-year-old daughter Ellie-Mai, rushed downstairs to help him after he texted saying he was struggling to breath.

Tragically, he suffered a heart attack while in the ambulance and died before reaching Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Family friend Rachel Hibbert said: ‘He got up as normal and wanted to have a shower.

‘He sounded absolutely fine. Then out of nowhere it happened.

For all the latest news and updates on Coronavirus, click here.

For our Coronavirus live blog click here.

‘He texted his daughter to open the windows because he was struggling to breathe. He then texted Sarah begging for help.

‘Sarah came downstairs and found him on his hands and knees struggling to breathe. When the paramedics arrived they put him on the trolley and asked him to lean back but he couldn’t do it.

‘That was it. Then the doors to the ambulance shut. They didn’t see him alive again.’

Dom, described as a ‘devoted’ father, had been self-isolating for over two weeks after developing symptoms of Covid-19, though he had not been tested for it.

His death comes as UK fatalities soar past 12,000 – though the true figure is thought to be much higher as those recorded by the government only include hospital deaths.

Rachel said Dom’s relapse should serve as a warning that people of all ages can fall victim to the virus as she urged people to stay at home.

She said: ‘People think it isn’t going to happen to them because they’re fit and young.

‘Dom was fit and young and it killed him. It’s torn his family apart and left them devastated.’

The family are organising for a blue Pompey coffin for Dom, who was a lifelong Portsmouth Football Club fan.

A fundraising page to support Sarah and Ellie-Mai has raised almost £10,000.

The page, set up by Rachel, says: ‘Dom was a fantastic father who doted on his daughter. He adored Sarah and I know his sudden death is going to leave a massive hole in their lives.

‘Please please take seriously the situation we find ourselves in and stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. No family should have to go through what Sarah and Ellie-Mai are.’

You can donate to the online fundraiser here

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.