A man whose final wish was to spend his last moments at home passed away just minutes after walking through the door.
Frederick Butler had already been in hospital for nine weeks with serious health problems when he was given the heartbreaking news that he had just two weeks to live.
It was the 61-year-old's dying wish to pass away in the comfort of his own home and he was driven back by a patient ambulance. As soon as the door was opened, he collapsed into a chair and was struggling to breathe, Hull Live reports.
His son Ashley Butler laid him on the floor and performed CPR in a desperate bid to resuscitate him, but he could not be saved. Fred passed away after being back in the house for less than five minutes, telling his family: "I’ve got my wish, I’m going, I can’t breathe."
His daughter, Amanda Butler, described her dad as a "fighter" who was well-known in Orchard Park for mowing people's lawns for them. She has since set up a GoFundMe page with a fundraising goal of £1,500 to help with funeral costs.
Ashley said: “We weren’t expecting it to be so quick. I didn’t know where to put myself but I knew I had to do something. I didn’t have a clue what to expect when he passed. I don’t think it’s sunk in. In his final moments my dad said, 'I’ve got my wish, I’m going, I can’t breathe.'"
With his final breath, Fred also told loved ones he was going to be reunited with his own dad, Ashley’s grandfather.
The dad-of-four was surrounded by his children when he passed away, as he had wanted. Fred had suffered from a combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, ischaemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension (high blood pressure).
During his time in hospital, he constantly had to wear a mask that supplied him with oxygen. Ashley said that his dad's lungs were dysfunctional, and it was heartbreaking to see his condition deteriorate. However, Fred's greatest pride in life was his children and when he was told he only had two weeks to live, he was determined to spend every precious moment with his children.
Ashley said: “It was amazing to see how much energy he had. He tried to make us all laugh and smile.”
Years ago, Fred was told that he was not could not eat chocolate anymore which "absolutely broke him", because it had always been his favourite treat. But in his final weeks, the doctors allowed him to have the sweet once again.
Ashley said: “We absolutely spoiled him. It was unbelievable to see him so happy.”
Fred was well known in Hull for dealing cars and his love of gardening. Ashley said: “He would give you his last penny if he could. He was a believer in working for himself and he did anything to get us fed. He was an amazing guy."
Fred was born in Orchard Park and brought up his own family there. In his later years, he moved to West Yorkshire and was treated in Bradford Royal Infirmary. The family are now planning to bring Fred’s body back to Hull and spread his ashes.
They will invite his family to attend the service. Amanda is trying to raise £1,500.
Donate to the fundraiser here to help Amanda raise money for Frederick Butler’s funeral.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
