'His heart stopped and our hearts as a family broke'

The heartbroken family of a man who died three years after receiving a life-changing heart transplant at a south Manchester hospital have paid tribute to him and thanked the hospital and donor for 'three extra years of memories' with their beloved son.

Carl Flynn was one of 324 people in the North West to have an organ transplant in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. The 35-year-old from Failsworth had experienced ongoing cardiovascular problems after suffering from a heart attack aged just 25. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in 2021, Carl said the transplant had given him a new lease of life he never expected to have.

Speaking after his death, Carl's family told the M.E.N he had been 'doing brilliantly and recovering well' over the last three years until he began to feel unwell on February 27 of this year. He was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital but sadly died the following morning.

READ MORE: Pretty village near M56 has 'lots going on under the surface' - and is one of Britain's best

"His heart had stopped, and the staff on the Jim Quick ward had tried to bring him back but sadly nothing could be done," they said. "His heart stopped and our hearts as a family broke."

His aunt Dionne Flynn described him as a 'loving nephew' who was 'lovely to be around'. "Carl was an intelligent, funny, and caring person who you could have a laugh with and was always smiling," she continued.

"He has a heart of gold. Me and his mum and Daniel will miss the laughs we had on our day trips with Carl."

They told the M.E.N they wanted to thank Carl's heart donor, who allowed them three extra years with him and allowed them to make 'many more memories as a family' - including meeting his first-born nephew, who was born just two days