'Blake's been through the ringer and he fought it all'

Man in coma after E. Coli in sandwich led to stroke

- Josh Pennington

A ONCE fit and healthy man was left in a coma and feared brain dead after getting food poisoning from what his family believe was a £3 supermarket chicken sandwich.

Blake Pennell, 30, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, suffered a stroke after contracting E. coli, and has since spent almost a year in hospital.

The 3D artist cannot sit up or stand, but has made slow progress and is now able to move his head and mouth words at his devoted partner Lauren Hale.

She said: “Blake has been through the ringer and he’s fought it all. You never think someone is going to have a stroke at this age and you never think anything like this could happen to you. He is starting to get his life back, and it makes it all worth it.”