Family of NI man Geoffrey McKillop grateful to be spared another tragedy after he beats coronavirus

Geoffrey McKillop, a 56-year-old father-of-three from Bushmills, was ill at home with COVID-19 for ten days before being taken to ICU in Causeway Hospital and ventilated for 16 days.

His brother Stephen said: “We were told at one point he was not going to survive this. Our family have had trials and tribulations in the past. In short, losing Geoffrey would have been too much for us all to bear.”

The McKillop family has endured a number of tragedies through the years.

Geoffrey’s daughter Heather’s passed away one year ago while a brother Nigel died from silent pneumonia at the age of three.

On March 8, 1980, two sisters Carol and Heather McKillop were killed in a multiple fatal car crash.

Thankfully on Tuesday, they got the news they’d been praying for when Geoffrey, who owns Hip Chip and the Codsway restaurants in Bushmills, was wheeled out of ICU to a rapturous round of applause from doctors and nurses.

Anne said: “Tuesday was a marvellous day for us.

“He’s making slow progress. It’s going to be a long time, but he’s back with us and we feel truly blessed to have him back with us.”

She thanked “the devotion, dedication and determination” of all the doctors and nurses in Causeway Hospital.

Anne said: “I am a nurse here in Causeway Hospital myself. I’ve always been proud to work here but (after this) I am extremely proud to say that I am one of the staff of this hospital.”

Anne added: “During the time that Geoffrey was on the ventilator in intensive care his son Mark and his girlfriend Emma gave Geoffrey the gift of a beautiful grandson called Alexander.

“He was delighted to hear that news when he woke up.”

His brother Stephen commented: “Our family and friends acoss the whole of the country were praying for Geoffrey, indeed I was receiving international calls with the same message.

“All our prayers have been answered and I’d like to thank all of those who prayed for Geoffrey’s recovery and supported us through this terrible ordeal.”

Stephen continued: “The nursing care Geoffrey received was second to none.

“This is a precious and much needed critical care facility which must remain for years to come. A big thank you must go to our NHS and specifically to the Causeway hospital medical staff.”

He said: “We were extremely touched that the whole town clapped for Geoffrey at 8pm on Wednesday night as our family including our 81-year-old Mum Lily and Dad James, 83, gathered together at the Hip Chip to show Geoffrey our love.”