Cambridge bus driver given 5% chance of survival during Covid battle returns to work for Stagecoach East
A Cambridge bus driver who doctors said had only a five per cent chance of survival as he battled Covid-19 is back on the roads after nearly two years of recovery.
Stagecoach East driver Dainius Denesevicius caught the virus at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020 and was hospitalised.
He was put into an induced coma as his life hung in the balance.
“When I first woke up from the coma, I felt like only a day had passed, although it had actually been 58 days,” he said. “After that, I had to relearn how to walk. At the beginning, walking 100 metres felt like doing a 10k hike, but over time I gradually built up my strength.”
During his recovery at Addenbrooke’s, Dainius took to sitting in the garden, where his Stagecoach colleagues would wave to him from their buses as they drove past and often stopped by to visit.
Finally, on January 10, 2022, Dainius rejoined his team at Stagecoach East, completed his refresher training and is now back in Cambridgeshire doing the job he loves.
“The last couple of years have been a battle, but with the support of my family, friends, colleagues, and healthcare professionals I have fully recovered, and am able to live my life as normal,” he said.
“It’s incredible being back home and able to work again. The journey here has been a long one, but I’m grateful to be back here with my team and out-and-about on the roads again.”
Stu Wright, operations manager at the bus company’s Cambridge depot, said: “Dainius has been through a lot with his Covid battle, and has left a mark on his colleagues here in Cambridge with his inspirational story. He really left a hole in the team, so we’re thrilled to have him back, and it’s wonderful to see him fit and healthy after his difficult journey over the last two years.”
Darren Roe, managing director at Stagecoach East, added: “Dainius’s story of how he has shown incredible resilience and overcome such a tough challenge is inspiring, and everyone here at Stagecoach East is delighted to welcome him back.
“The pandemic has affected people in many different ways, from battling illness to caring for loved ones, and we are continuing to support our employees through any challenges they may experience in this difficult time.”
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