A FORMER firefighter who has cheated death twice has issued a message to others - never give up.

Lyndon de Negri was left fighting for his life after suffering an horrific motorbike crash.

His devastated family said their goodbyes as his life support machine was turned off.

But miraculously, Lyndon began breathing on his own and began a remarkable recovery which is still on-going 12 years later.

Lyndon, a former Royal Marine suffered a second major setback last year when he had an abscess on his brain.

He underwent surgery and was in hospital for three months but is now working towards becoming a fully qualified fitness instructor.

Lyndon's crash in Dover in 2003 left him brain damaged and suffering from a host of injuries.

He was in a coma for two weeks and his life support machine was turned off because his injuries were considered too severe.

However, Lyndon breathed on his own but began his recovery.

Lyndon, of Nelson Road, Dovercourt, said: "With a brain injury, everything you’ve learnt is more or less gone. I’ve had to learn everything again.

"I still have problems. I have had three eye operations but I still see double.

"I have problems with my balance and my right side has been a nightmare.

"I am right handed but I have lost the dexterity."

Lyndon battled on but last August he suffered a further setback when he developed an abscess on his brain.

He said: "I had a thumping headache and saw the doctor three or four times.

"I was told to take headache tablets but I knew it was something more serious.

"I collapsed and was taken to hospital by ambulance. My head wasn't scanned though and I collapsed again.

"Then my mum, Pauline, insisted I was scanned and they found the abscess."

Lyndon was transfered to Queen's Hospital in Romford where the abscess was drained.

He was in the hospital for two months before being transfered to Colchester General Hospital for a further month.

Lyndon, who is now 47, said the operation was a success and he now trains at Hamilton Gym in Colchester and is training towards his full Level 3 fitness instructor qualification at The Gym in Chelmsford.

Lyndon paid tribute to his mother, Pauline, for her unbending support and to Ian Salter, the general manager of The Gym for helping him towards his new qualification which will enable him to provide fitness training for disabled and fully able clients.

He is also hoping to publish his life story and will donate the proceeds to research into breast cancer after his former girlfriend, Karen, the mother of his son, Jack, 13, died from the disease.

Lyndon said: "My philosophy for life is never give up.

"It doesn't matter how bad things are, don't give up."

* Lyndon is looking for someone to help with the book and a publisher. Anyone who can help is asked to call 07729 116 895.