A miracle after a tragedy: a firefighter woke up after a 10-year coma (3 photos + 1 video)
Category: Fires and Catastrophes, PEGI 0+
9 November 2024
Don Herbert's story has shocked doctors and ordinary people around the world. His case was a true miracle when, after such a long stay in a coma, he was able to recover, albeit for a short time. 
Donald Herbert, a firefighter from Buffalo (New York, USA), who spent almost 10 years in a state of minimal consciousness after a terrible injury, suddenly woke up and regained clarity.
The moment of his awakening, which was captured on camera by his family, became a real sensation, causing a sea of emotions among those who followed this incredible story.
In December 1995, when Don was only 34 years old, while extinguishing a fire, the roof of his house collapsed on him, severely damaging his body and depriving him of oxygen for several minutes. When he was rescued by colleagues, he was taken to the hospital, but was in a coma. Don's wife, Linda, arrived at the medical facility when her husband was already unconscious.
"I remember begging and pleading with him in the hospital when he was not responding. I said don't leave me, don't leave the children, we need you," the American shared, talking to Anderson Cooper on the 60 Minutes program in 2007.
A year later, Don regained consciousness, but the trauma he had experienced had left him with serious problems: speech, vision, and mobility impairments. He soon found himself in a state of minimal consciousness, which meant he could respond to external stimuli but could not fully communicate.
For nine years, his family tried to keep him alive, despite the negative prognosis of doctors who claimed that there would be no improvement. However, on April 30, 2005, Don suddenly woke up and asked: "How long have I been gone?" His loved ones, including his children and former work colleagues, rushed to visit the man to see this miracle.
Despite his vision problems, Don began to recognize his family and friends by their voices. The publication notes that the meeting with his children was touching and emotional. Nick's youngest son, who was only four years old when his father was injured, was now an adult.
However, despite his miraculous return, Don was never able to fully recover. In February 2006, less than a year after waking up, he again suffered a traumatic brain injury when he tried to get out of bed. Pneumonia and complications from the injury led to his death.
