A CARING wife has told of the horrific moment her husband was brought back from the brink of death six times.

William Staff, 81, of Park Road, Dovercourt, is lucky to be alive after an artery in his arm burst.

His wife Beryl was awoken suddenly by her husband’s screams for help.

Mr Staff is suffering the final stages of kidney failure.

He has had a special blood vessel crafted in his forearm to deliver the treatment keeping him alive.

The vessel is fashioned by connecting an artery to a vein.

It makes it easier to transfer blood into a dialysis machine, helping to keep him alive.

It was this artery that suddenly burst, leaving a desperate Mrs Staff to try to stem the bleeding before paramedics arrived.

Mrs Staff, 73, said her husband had died three times at home and twice in the ambulance.

He then died a further time at Colchester General Hospital.

“I can remember calling 999 and shouting: ‘Hurry, he’s dying’,” she said.

“I couldn’t think.

"I was panicking and just trying to stem this bleeding with kitchen towels and anything I could find.

“If we had had to wait any longer for the paramedics, he just wouldn’t be here any more.

“It was really, really close and so shocking.

“I am so grateful for what they did.

They saved my husband’ s life.

“It is ridiculous how hard they work and how hard they worked to save my husband.”

Mr and Mrs Staff have been married for more than 50 years.

She said her husband was just not ready to leave her quite yet.

Mrs Staff said the paramedics had asked her whether she wanted them to continue to attempt to resuscitate her husband or to let him pass away, but she insisted they try.

She said she knew it was what her husband would want.

Mrs Staff was not surprised at the amount of times her battling husband fought his way back to life.

But he now must visit the hospital three times a week for treatment.

“I try to keep strong for him and he is keeping strong for me,” added Mrs Staff.

“I could barely go out to town the other day. I was breaking down in the shops.

“Luckily, I have fantastic neighbours and family. They have rallied around us.”