JOHN Bower has looked death in the eye and not only survived, but still has a smile on his face.

John, of Sycamore Avenue in Golcar, has battled through a personal nightmare since disaster struck seven months ago.

After finishing work as an installation engineer one Friday last October, he felt unwell. In the middle of the night his condition worsened and wife Jayne dialled 999. He was rushed to hospital with meningitis which quickly developed into septicaemia.

John was literally at death’s door and had to be resuscitated three times at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

He recovered, but temporarily lost the use of his hands. However, the main problem was with his legs where gangrene had set in.

On December 13, both of John’s legs were amputated below the knee.

His family were stricken with grief, but it was John who held them together.

Mother-in-law Joan Clerkin, of Birkby, said: “John is an inspiration to all of his family.

“Just two days before he was struck ill, he and Jayne became grandparents to a beautiful baby girl, Ruby Grace. The news that John had to have his legs amputated was a dreadful shock for them.

“We all cried, but it was John who comforted us – he took the news with great courage. He has a smile on his face and is determined to walk again and go back to work.

“In fact, he says he is a couple of inches taller with his new legs.”

Jayne said: “It has been really hard to see someone as active as John go down with such a bang. But he has been fantastic.

“John is such a strong and determined person and the consultant says he is really pleased with the progress he is making. The staff at HRI have been wonderful.”

John added: “I remember being rushed to the resuscitation unit, but after that I don’t remember anything at all.

“Everybody has been upset, but I am staying strong. It is the way I am, I just have to get on and cope with it.”