A MAN who came back from the dead three times after being crushed by falling ovens is holding a charity event in honour of the hospital staff who saved his life.

Louis Andrews, 24, of Crownhill, was left fighting for his life after dozens of ovens crashed 30ft on to him at Waterline in Newport Pagnell in June 2006.

He was left him in a coma for more than three months and his friends and family were told on several occasions he wouldn't live.

He told the Citizen: "There were 46 ovens that fell, three made contact with me and they had the combined weight of three quarters of a tonne.

"It was fortunate that only three made contact or I wouldn't be here.

"I was admitted to ITU at Milton Keynes Hospital with severe head injuries, I also had broken ribs and a punctured lung.

"I was in a critical condition for six to eight weeks and in a coma for about 15 weeks.

"When I woke up in hospital, I didn't have a clue where I was or how I got there."

But after being told what had happened, he admitted he was just happy to be alive.

"My mum was contacted on several occasions and told I wasn't going to make it through the night. I contracted MRSA, I had pneumonia,and my cheekbone was smashed which pushed my eye back into its socket."

But he is so grateful to the staff he credits with saving his life. especially the ITU team.

"Without them I would be six foot under. I owe them my life," he said candidly.

"And they weren't just good to me – they were great to my family, too, and provided such invaluable support."

Louis is still going through a rehabilitation programme and he now describes his condition as similar to someone who has had a stroke.
"At first I was confined to a wheelchair and I've had to teach myself to walk, run and swim again," he said.

"It's the little things that get to you and you miss.

"Most of my childhood memories are gone. I used to play football at the weekend but I can't now.

"I will never play again, which is hard to deal with."

But despite the knowledge he is unlikely to ever put on the boots again Louis has instead decided to organise his own charity day, complete with its own football tournament.

It takes place this Saturday at Shenley Leisure Centre which has kindly donated the venue free of charge, and there is still room for entrants.

There will also be a bouncy castle, a fire engine and demonstration, raffle, live band and tombola.

All proceeds will go to the ITU at MK Hospital.

The fun starts at 10am and anyone interested in playing in the tournament can ring 07902 408967.