A BUSINESSMAN visiting his native Bolton from South Africa lost nearly all his blood - and survived!

Tom Brady was so ill with internal bleeding he lost NINE pints of blood after collapsing soon after watching a Wanderers match.

But doctors beat the odds to save him with a massive transfusion.

Today, from his South African home, Tom said: "It was a miracle and I owe everything to the team who saved me."

The drama began as Tom left The Colliers Arms, Chorley Old Road, after having a drink with pals following the game.

Just before getting into his car, the 49-year-old collapsed and started coughing up blood.

Most adults have 10 or 11 pints of blood in their body but after paramedics rushed Tom to Royal Bolton Hospital he lost nine pints in three days.

Family members, including sister Patricia Meadows, of Dales Brow, Sharples, thought there was no way he could survive.

"He looked terrible and I thought he would die," she said.

Doctors found Tom's stomach lining had eroded causing massive internal bleeding.

But they managed to keep him alive by pumping blood into his body as fast as he was losing it.

"Apparently it was flowing out like water and going in through drips at the same rate," said Tom.

Gradually, after nine pints of blood were pumped into the former Smithhills School pupil and surgeons performed laser treatment on his stomach problem, Tom began to recover.

Tom, who was visiting family and friends, is now back home fit and well in South Africa with his wife and four children.

In his tribute to medical staff, Tom said: "They were absolutely brilliant."

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