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8 January 2011
Last updated at 06:28 ET
The fiancee of a Rotherham man who died of swine flu has spoken of her shock at how rapidly her fit and healthy partner succumbed to the virus.
Dean Brown, 44, of East Herringthorpe, died on Wednesday, six days after being taken to Rotherham Hospital.
He is one of four people with swine flu to have died in Rotherham recently.
Asked if Mr Brown had any underlying health problems, his fiancee Sandra Kelsall said: "He didn't have anything. He was a fit man."
Professor Walid Al-Wali, the medical director at Rotherham hospital, said: "He was quite healthy and did sport and gym work.
"Unfortunately, he died despite aggressive treatment and was confirmed to have swine flu."
A 16-year-old who died at home in Rotherham and two 52-year-olds who died in hospital all had other health problems, but swine flu was a contributory factor in their deaths, Prof Al-Wali said.
"We have been devastated by these deaths and our sincere condolences go to all the families," he said.
'Gentle giant' Miss Kelsall told BBC News her fiancee had given her an eternity ring on Boxing Day and said they had been planning to get married in Egypt.
"I just loved him to bits from the day met him," she said.
"He is just a big gentle giant. He's an absolutely wonderful man."
She described how Mr Brown started feeling unwell on 30 December.
"He was just coughing and coughing and then he phoned me and said, 'I need you to come home'.
"He could hardly stand up and we got him in a car to hospital.
"I left him that night and he put his arms round me and said he loved me and he'll see me tomorrow.
"He just kept saying he wanted to get home to me and the dog."
She said Mr Brown had not been vaccinated against swine flu because he had not been in a group considered vulnerable to the virus.
"I think everybody should qualify for the vaccine," she said.
"I just want everybody to be aware and have it. Everybody should have it. No more deaths."
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Dean Brown, 44, of East Herringthorpe, died on Wednesday, six days after being taken to Rotherham Hospital.
He is one of four people with swine flu to have died in Rotherham recently.
Asked if Mr Brown had any underlying health problems, his fiancee Sandra Kelsall said: "He didn't have anything. He was a fit man."
Professor Walid Al-Wali, the medical director at Rotherham hospital, said: "He was quite healthy and did sport and gym work.
"Unfortunately, he died despite aggressive treatment and was confirmed to have swine flu."
A 16-year-old who died at home in Rotherham and two 52-year-olds who died in hospital all had other health problems, but swine flu was a contributory factor in their deaths, Prof Al-Wali said.
"We have been devastated by these deaths and our sincere condolences go to all the families," he said.
'Gentle giant' Miss Kelsall told BBC News her fiancee had given her an eternity ring on Boxing Day and said they had been planning to get married in Egypt.
"I just loved him to bits from the day met him," she said.
"He is just a big gentle giant. He's an absolutely wonderful man."
She described how Mr Brown started feeling unwell on 30 December.
"He was just coughing and coughing and then he phoned me and said, 'I need you to come home'.
"He could hardly stand up and we got him in a car to hospital.
"I left him that night and he put his arms round me and said he loved me and he'll see me tomorrow.
"He just kept saying he wanted to get home to me and the dog."
She said Mr Brown had not been vaccinated against swine flu because he had not been in a group considered vulnerable to the virus.
"I think everybody should qualify for the vaccine," she said.
"I just want everybody to be aware and have it. Everybody should have it. No more deaths."
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