Dad, 64, collapsed and died during FaceTime call with baby grandson moments after he complained of ‘terrible heartburn’
A DAD collapsed and died during a FaceTime call to his baby grandson just moments after he complained of “terrible heartburn”.
Martin Farthing, 64, initially collapsed while chatting to his son and grandson on a mobile phone FaceTime call.
His wife Sara told how she had battled to save him after she heard an “almighty thud” when he collapsed.
Retired nurse Sara said: “During the call he said to me: “I have got terrible heartburn”, and I told him to go get some Gaviscon from the kitchen.
“The next thing I knew I heard this almighty thud.
“There must have been about 20 seconds where I was in a complete panic, but I tried to resuscitate him until the paramedics got here.
Engineering lecturer Martin couldn’t be revived and died at the family home in the village of Clydach, near Swansea.
Sara said: “He had been working in his makeshift office at home until 4.20pm and then we were making the most of the lovely weather, doing a bit of DIY outside.
“Martin had been outside putting sand between the block pavings.
“He got changed and then we Facetimed our son and grandson.”
The father-of-two had recently become a grandad and loved his regular video calls with one-year-old grandson Dyfan.
‘ALMIGHTY THUD’
Sara said: “Life is going to be very different without him – he was an enthusiastic character with a zest for life.
“I can’t imagine how the future is going to be now, we did so much together.
“He was taken far too early. The word I seem to be using at the moment is surreal.
“It is a wave of emotions at the moment for us all. The family will miss him greatly.”
Martin, a lecturer in engineering at The Welding Institute at Great Abbington in Cambridge, died on April 22.
He was a school governor, football coach and a big Swansea City soccer fan.
Martin had two sons Paul, 31, and Adam, 28, and doted on baby Dyfan.
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The family confirmed that the cause of death on Martin’s death certificate was a heart attack.
Martin’s funeral will be held in Swansea next Monday but because of social distancing rules only 10 family members will be allowed to attend.
The funeral cortege will drive slowly through the village of Clydach for locals to pay their respects.
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