Father fighting for his life after getting infected with flesh-eating bacteria

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/Gray News) – A father in Florida is fighting for his life after getting infected with a flesh-eating bacteria.

On Saturday morning, Ben West’s family said he got infected with Vibrio Vulnificus after they went crabbing and mullet fishing underneath the intercoastal passover bridge, when entering Port St. Joe from Mexico Beach.

Janie Knowles, Ben’s fiancée, took him to Ascension Sacred Heart Bay on Tuesday morning. He was confused and disoriented.

“There were blisters everywhere, they were busting, it was swelling, you couldn’t recognize his leg compared to the other one, it was actually four times bigger than the other one,” said Knowles.

Family members say Ben’s swelling was progressing by the second.

Knowles said Ben’s leg tissue was completely affected, similar to a third-degree burn. She also says his kidneys and liver were failing from the infection.

He’s had two surgeries this week, where doctors have drained fluids from his leg, and she says he still has three more to go.

“I was blank, everything was happening so fast, I was scared, scared to death, and I remember fainting, but when I came back, I was on my knees and I was saying ‘God please, do not take him from me, God please,’” said Knowles.

Ben’s family says their faith has kept them going through this difficult time.

“It’s been very difficult, and the fact that God is in control and so many people are praying and that I know that he hears and he answers prayer, has been a comfort to me,” said Ben’s father, Keith.

“He’s loving, he’s a loving guy, he’s a family man, he loves his children, he loves his children, he’s fought for it, he’s fought really hard,” said Knowles.

Ben’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical bills.

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