Hero ambulance worker killed by coronavirus said ‘it won’t happen to me’ as he ignored wife’s plea to stay home
A HERO paramedic killed by coronavirus told his wife “it won’t happen to me” as he ignored her desperate pleas. Charlie Goodwin, 61, died on April 20 from Covid-19 having spent almost a fortnight in intensive care. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates He is one of more than […]
A HERO paramedic killed by coronavirus told his wife “it won’t happen to me” as he ignored her desperate pleas.
Charlie Goodwin, 61, died on April 20 from Covid-19 having spent almost a fortnight in intensive care.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
He is one of more than 137 health and care workers to have died from the virus.
Coronavirus has claimed more than 21,000 lives in the United Kingdom with over 150,000 cases recorded.
Tragically, Charlie had pleaded with his wife Julie not to worry as he transported stricken Covid-19 victims to hospital – telling her “I’m needed, it’s my duty”.
Breaking down in tears, Julie, 55, told The Sun Online today: “He was in the thick of it but thought he’s be OK because he had good personal protective equipment.
“I was worried sick about him and begged him to stay at home but he wouldn’t listen and said it wouldn’t happen to him.
“As well as being an ambulance driver he was a carer to help take the pressure off medics so he would help put patients on oxygen and do any first aid needed.
“He always thought about everyone else first and himself last. It sadly cost him his life.”
Charlie, of Bilsthorpe, Notts, was devoted to his job, his wife of 26 years and his three children.
Julie, carer to her to two younger children Catherine, 26, and Daniel, 25, who both have autism and global development delay, added: “They’ll miss their dad so much.”
She said Charlie, who she a pub before they married in September 1993, came from a large family with eight brothers and sisters and “we are utterly heartbroken”.
And the mum paid tribute to “hero” Charlie’s devotion to duty in the face of danger.
“It’s up to the individual, he chose to carry on working through out all this so maybe lessons will be learned,” she said.
“He was 100 per cent dedicated to his job, it was his life. He loved his job.
“We were robbed too soon of him but I’m not bitter, no one is to blame. We have been unfortunate like many other families.
“He could have self-isolated but he chose not to. He wanted to help out and he’s saved quite a few lives.”
Julie explained Charlie had been home isolating after displaying Covid-19 symptoms when his health deteriorated.
“I called an ambulance and straight away he was put into intensive care and tested positive for coronavirus,” she said.
“He was sedated and put on a ventilator to do his breathing for him.”
She said his heart-wrenching final words to her were: “You’ll be OK, see you soon.”
“We just had to sit and wait at home for nearly two weeks. It was agony. I suffer from asthma and knew I had to stay well for the children.
“They cannot express their emotions so well. Catherine was having panic attacks and was really anxious and Daniel who doesn’t have any real friends was beside himself that he’s lost his best mate, his dad.”
On the day before his death Julie got a call from the hospital so say there was nothing else they could do for him and he was slipping away.
The worst thing was picturing him lying there alone and none of his family being able to go to him to comfort him and finally say goodbye.
Julie Goodwin
“At 6am the next day I got that dreaded call to see he had passed away,” she said.
“The worst thing was picturing him lying there alone and none of his family being able to go to him to comfort him and finally say goodbye.
“He was slipping away and I couldn’t see him, I couldn’t talk to him, I couldn’t touch him.
“I have done so much crying already but his death still hasn’t really sunk in.
“I haven’t even been able to see his body in the chapel of rest because of the coronavirus lockdown.”
She is now urging people across Britain take precautions against the coronavirus.
“Please be careful, don’t be stupid, and keep social distancing. Don’t ever think Covid will not come to your door.”
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Julie said of her husband he “always happy and smiling and laughing and he had one grandson, eight-year-old Connor who he loved to bits”.
“He never took things too seriously, he was so laid back I’d say to him ‘If you become more laid back you’ll fall over!’
Catherine said the thing she’ll miss most about her “brilliant dad” is singing together “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” on the karaoke at their local Ship Inn pub.
Daniel said he would miss the football banter, saying: “He was a Man City fan and I’m Man United. It was hectic in our house!”
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Charlie will be laid to rest on Thursday with his family among the just 15 mourners allowed to bid farewell with a fleet of ambulances also paying tribute.
Julie has applauded the UK’s weekly Clap for Carers and The Sun’s petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
“Well done The Sun for galvanising Britain into action for the good of our wonderful NHS workers. We whole heartedly support the campaign,” said Julie.
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