THREE Covid patients who spent “weeks of hell” in hospital fighting the virus and seeing people die around them, have created a lasting friendship bond.

Joe Lane, Ian Green and Lang Essien were all hospitalised with Covid-19 in March last year.

They went through “two weeks of hell” in Basildon Hospital fighting off the virus, and would look out for each other while they were there.

During their stay the three men saw other patients sadly die, and this strengthened their resolve to get through the ordeal together.

A year later, all three men, aged in their 50s, have beaten the disease and regularly check in with each other online, and plan to meet up again in the summer.

Mr Lane, 57, who works for Brightside Primary School in Billericay, came down with the virus while on annual leave.

He was hospitalised the weekend of March 21 and 22.

Joe Lane with his rowing crew

Joe Lane with his rowing crew

He said: “I went to bed in the afternoon, which is unheard of and Monday morning I was being put into an ambulance because I had pneumonia.

“I was in hospital for just over two weeks.

“I wasn’t allowed to see anyone, not that I was capable of doing that anyway. I was on 30 milligrams of oxygen.

“When Ian came in he was in a bad way. Lang came in a couple of days later. They had already been in before and gone home, but relapsed and came back.

“The photo was taken when they found out they could go home, and I said right lads, let’s have a photo, we may not meet again and we’ve had the worst weeks of our lives, but we can get to go home’.”

Mr Lane, who rows with the Trinity House Rowers, remained in the hospital ward for several hours after the others went but was discharged the same day.

During this time, more Covid patients came through and he became worried he might catch it again and suffer a relapse.

Mr Lane also missed his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife, Jane, while he was in hospital.

Despite the tough battle with the virus, none of the three men required treatment in the ICU.

Mr Lane said: “I was prepped for intensive care and then my oxygen levels were better and because of that they decided they wouldn’t put me down there.

“Which was great as that was terrifying.”

Joe Lane being given oxygen

Joe Lane being given oxygen

While the men, who are all from the Basildon area, thought they may never see each other again, they are now in regular contact on social media.

They plan to meet again in the summer when restrictions are lifted further.

Mr Lane continued: “Through Facebook we send each other messages asking how we are all doing.

“No one has relapsed, but we have all been a bit forgetful.

“I can only imagine it is what dementia would be like.

“But we could reassure people that our hospital is great.

“They were really fantastic, we can’t praise them enough.

“They were putting themselves right out there to look after us. They will always have my respect.

“A patient passed away and that was really scary, because if someone dies you’re scared to sleep because you had the same thing.

“The three of us were keeping a look out for each other, you can be fine one minute and then ten minutes later you’re in a lot of pain.

“It’s messed up my lungs, but I’m rowing again now.

“I’d never been to hospital before, it was scary as hell.

“What we don’t want is to ever, ever have to go through that again. It was two weeks of hell.”

During their recovery, Mr Lane has met up with Mr Green to do walks to raise money for various causes.

Despite the tragic nature of their meeting, Mr Lane said the men would not be friends had it not been for them meeting in hospital.

Joe and Jane Lane on their 31st wedding anniversary this year

Joe and Jan Lane on their 31st wedding anniversary this year

He said: “We did a 2.6 kilometre walk and we were both knackered.

“We will meet up again in the summer, all three of us.

“We’re now firm friends, but it was all due to Covid.”

He added: “One year on, we’re three blokes, never met before, with one aim and one battle, to beat Covid-19.

“Mission accomplished. Thank you to the NHS.”

Diane Sarkar, chief nursing officer at the trust, said: “Our staff will be delighted to see this wonderful news that Joe, Lang and Ian are doing so well on their road to recovery.

“They will also be delighted to know they have played a part in making that happen.

“We wish the trio all the very best.”