A 46-year-old man from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was declared dead earlier this week after he was found face down in his bedroom. And then, the incredible: 45 minutes after responders stopped believing there was any hope for him, he began moving.
The man, who has been identified as Thomas Sancomb, raised suspicions about his well-being after his girlfriend told police they hadn't spoken, she was unable to get in touch with him, and that he suffered from an undisclosed medical condition.
When firefighters arrived at his home, they found him lying face down in his bedroom and said his body was cold, rigid, and unresponsive. They were so convinced that he was dead they didn't even try to revive him, according to authorities. He was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. and arrangements were made to transport him to the morgue.
Almost as if he could hear what was happening around him (and, who know? Maybe he could) Sancomb began breathing at that moment and his legs started twitching. Firefighters determined he had a faint heartbeat and he was taken to Columbia-St. Mary's Hospital, where he remains in intensive care.
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Sancomb's brother has confirmed that he suffers from a serious thyroid problem and that his body temperature dropped to 84 degrees, which made his limbs stiff and his vital signs too faint to detect, fooling firefighters into believing he had died. His brother claims he was not abusing alcohol or drugs at the time.
This story is equal parts utterly frightening and miraculous. Thank goodness Sancomb woke up when he did and that he was able to get swift medical attention for his condition. Hoping he makes a speedy recovery.
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Image via Justin Taylor/Flickr