A family were hit with a double tragedy after a son died of coronavirus three weeks after visiting his COVID-stricken father on his deathbed.
Greg Smith began showing symptoms of the virus days after spending time with his dying father Roy, 67, at Queens Hospital in Burton.
The father-of-five, who worked as a shift manager at a Muller dairy factory, was admitted to the same hospital and put on a ventilator but later died aged 41.
The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust sometimes allows people to visit loved ones dying of Covid, with decisions made on an ‘individual basis’.
NHS England says trusts should conduct their own ‘risk-based assessment’. The precise circumstances of the decision to allow a visit in this case are not yet known.
Today, the family said they ‘cannot express our heartbreak’ at the deaths, with Roy dying on December 31 and Greg on January 24.
Last week, Greg and Roy had a joint funeral, with socially distanced mourners lining the streets for a procession.
Greg Smith began showing symptoms of the virus days after spending time with his dying father Roy, 67, at Queens Hospital in Burton. He is seen on the left with his family including his partner, Natalie (right)
In a statement, the family said: ‘Greg’s partner, Natalie, and his mother, Deborah, along with his four children and stepdaughter, are truly devastated at the loss of a husband of 45 years, a grandfather and only son at the age of 41 – a loving partner and amazing dad.
‘Words cannot express our heartbreak. It has been the saddest of times but we have taken great comfort from the many tributes, kind words and gestures and to know how much they were loved.’
Greg, who lived in Worcester, leaves behind partner Natalie Passey, four children from the age of four, and his stepdaughter.
He was well known as an amateur footballer and coach in Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire, where he spent most of his life.
His father, Roy, who had MS, was a manager at a distribution centre and lived in the local village of Alrewas with wife Deborah, 66.
Roy, who had MS, was a manager at a distribution centre and lived in the local village of Alrewas with wife Deborah, 66
Some paid their respects at the local football club where Greg had played.
His youngest son, four-year-old Oakley, and nephew AJ paid tribute by football shirts showing the number 10 – which he played under.
Greg also leaves behind children Ivy, seven; Cody, 12; and Ceejay, 18; as well as stepdaughter Jessica, 21.
Greg’s cousin, Millie Watson, 34, from Burton, said: ‘I still can’t believe this has happened. I’m going to miss them so much.
‘The last time I saw Greg was after Roy had died and I went round to leave some food on his doorstep.
‘He greeted me with his usual ”alright bab?” and stuck his head round the door. But the last time I properly saw him before that was his 40th birthday party.
‘I’m so pleased my last memory of him was to see him happy and dancing.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds to support Natalie, who had been made redundant from Debenhams last year.
Greg’s youngest son, four-year-old Oakley, (left) and nephew AJ paid tribute by football shirts showing the number 10 – which he played under