THE miracle man who defied doctors’ predictions for nearly 30 years after a horrific car accident has died aged 68 on New Year’s Day.

Malcolm Beart, of Badgeney Road, March, spent months in a coma after a collision on Wimblington Road, Doddington in May 1986.

The accident left him 90 per cent disabled and with brain damage but Malcolm lived long enough to witness the birth of his five great grandchildren, the youngest of which, Leo, was born just six months ago.

Marilyn Setchell, his daughter, has cared for Malcolm, who was left wheelchair-bound and unable to dress or feed himself, for the past 27 years.

The mother of two paid tribute to her late father whose bravery and resilience she said was an inspiration to all who knew him.

She said: “He had so much courage. His loss will leave a massive hole in my life. I don’t know what we will do without him.

“He loved coming home. His great grandchildren adored him. Courtney called him ‘Granddad in a wheelchair’ and the name stuck.

“The last time the whole family was together was for Christmas. It was the best day. He was so happy. I never thought New Year’s Day was going to be heartbreaking.”

In the immediate aftermath of his accident doctors told Malcolm’s family to prepare for the worst.

She said: “They told us he was not going to live but the family would play music tapes in his hospital room and constantly talked to him. We never stopped believing.”

Malcolm spent his final couple of years at Askham Care Home in Doddington and Marilyn would like to thank the carers for their support.

She said: “The carers were brilliant and I would like to say a special thank you to Linda Foster and Gene, who we called ‘Genie Beeny’”.

Malcolm worked at Cambridgeshire County Council before his accident and Marilyn hopes some of his former colleagues will attend his cremation on January 18 at 11.15am at Mintlyn Crematorium, King’s Lynn.

He is survived by his two children, Marilyn and Michael, and her two sons, Mark and Allan.

He had five great grand children: Courtney, 11, Callum, 5, Paige, 2, Riley, 1 and six months old Leo.