The family of a popular scaffolder who tragically lost his life following a freak trampoline accident have announced he was due to become a dad again.
Stockton man Rob Harcourt, who had four children, had attempted a backflip but misjudged it and landed on his neck, which caused a catastrophic injury.
He was left paralysed and needed constant care
The 37-year-old was treated in the Intensive Care Unit at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he underwent a second operation to stabilise his neck.
Following the fall, Rob had a cardiac arrest in hospital which led to "massive" brain damage and needed surgery after fluid was found in his brain. He later died with his family by his side.
He passed away despite the best efforts of medics and weeks of fighting for his life.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the family are happy to announce that Rob's partner Jade Higgins, 30, is currently fifteen weeks pregnant with their next child.
A bittersweet miracle, the family are excited to be able to find out the gender of the baby on September 8.
Mum Jackie Graves who described Rob and Jade as "soulmates," said Rob's legacy will live on.
She said: "My boy was my only child. This baby is my little ray of hope. They (Jade and Rob) were soulmates."
According to Jackie, the family 'can't wait to find out' whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, adding: "Her pregnancy has been a ray of sunshine for us. We will do everything we can to ensure that the baby has everything that Rob would have given it."
She continued: "Rob was such a huge character, even as a child. He was always climbing things and making people laugh.
"He was the most adorable chubby baby." Amanda Jones - a friend of Rob's who set up a GoFundMe page for the scaffolder's family - also paid an emotional tribute.
She told Teesside Live : "Rob was an only child. I can't begin to imagine what Jackie is going through and Jade has lost her soulmate.
"We're all just devastated. You always think you’ve got tomorrow to do things, to say things.
"It's unimaginable that he isn't here now. Jackie played voice messages to him and I hope he heard them, I hope he knew how much people thought of him."
Jackie added: "Jade would like to thank everyone from the bottom of her heart. In our darkest times, knowing so many people care has helped tremendously."
Confirming the tragic news on Tuesday, Jackie said: "My clever, funny, kind and beautiful son Rob has passed away in mine and Jade's arms.
"Jimmy was with us too, holding his hand. Heartbroken doesn't touch how we are feeling right now.
"Rob's last words were 'Love you Mam' as he went to theatre for the first operation to his neck. He couldn't speak after that."
Tributes have poured in across social media with hundreds of Rob's friends and family describing their devastation.
The popular Teesside man has been described as a "massive joker" and someone who was "clever, funny and kind" as tributes poured in following the heartbreaking news of his passing.
The hard-working scaffolder took on extra shifts to support his family during the cost of living crisis and hundreds of people have shown their support for Rob and his family.
Amanda Jones, from Llangwyryfon, near Aberystwyth in Wales, whose husband Alan was a friend of Rob's, said he was a "popular guy" and a "great friend."
More than £10,000 has been donated to a Go Fund Me page set up by friend Amanda Jones during this unimaginable time.
A previous version of this article referred to Rob Harcourt as the father of Jade's four older children. The article has been amended to make clear that he was Jade's partner at the time of the incident and is not the father of the four older children. We are happy to clarify this and apologise for the error.
