A COURAGEOUS father-of-three who battled back from the brink after an horrific lorry accident has died of cancer.

Geoff Hardman was given just a one per cent chance of survival five years ago when he was struck by a vehicle at work.

He defied the odds and proved doctors wrong when he recovered to walk again, only to be diagnosed with bowel cancer nine months ago.

Following the 56-year-old’s death, his heartbroken family suffered a second tragedy when his dad Bill Hardman died two days later after battling prostate cancer for two years.

In the weeks before his death, the 84-year-old told relatives ‘it would kill him’ if anything happened to his son.

Sonia Hardman, 23, said her father had been ‘a real fighter’ who was determined to live his life to the full.

She said he and her grandad were ‘great friends’ as well as father and son.

“My dad was an only child, so they were very close,” she said.

“My grandad definitely kept going for my dad. He told my auntie it would kill him if anything happened to my dad.

“He took him to all his chemotherapy appointments and was always looking after him.

“When he found out the cancer had spread to my dad’s liver he offered to donate his.

“Then when my dad was out of hospital he was at the house every night.”

Born in Burnley, Mr Hardman junior went to Rosegrove Infants, Hargher Clough Junior School and Burnley Grammar School.

He first worked as a self-employed accountant but gave it up to be a lorry driver and last worked at Express Freight Solutions, in Smallshaw Lane.

Five years ago he was hit by an articulated wagon and suffered a variety of serious injuries, with his legs worst affected.

At the beginning of his five-month stay in hospital, doctors in the intensive care department said they did not expect him to survive.

Sonia said: "He was given a one per cent chance of living at one point and he had four heart attacks as a result of his leg injuries, but he pulled through. He was a real fighter.

"They told us his leg would probably have to be amputated and then that he would need a wheelchair, but he didn't want it.

"He ended walking without a stick but with a bit of a limp.

"He was very brave. He lived life as though nothing was wrong and he didn't let anything get him down, even when he was going through a hard time.

"We want to thank the intensive care staff who treated him after his accident - because of them we were lucky enough to have an extra five years with my dad.

As a result of the trauma, he was unable to work again.

His wife Gayna said the pair were just about to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.

She said: “We met at a party more than 25 years ago and we were together from then on.

“He was lovely and always put me and the children first. We did everything together.”

Sonia added to the tributes, describing her dad as a ‘real fighter’.

“Even when he was suffering from cancer he still lived life to the full,” she said.

“He wasn’t bothered about himself, but just wanted to make sure we were all right. His family was everything to him.

“My dad loved doing karaoke and one of his favourite songs, Walk of Life by Dire Straits, is going to be played at his funeral.”

Mr Hardman senior was born in Macclesfield but moved to Burnley in his late teens.

Despite having officially retired from his job as a mechanic, he continued to fix friends’ cars right up to his death.

Sonia said: “My grandad was very private and he didn’t want to upset people by telling them about his illness.

“He was so kind and generous and was always there for my dad.”

Mr Hardman junior also leaves children Richard, 21, and Stephanie, 20, as well as grandchildren Ellie, seven, and Leah, two.

A joint funeral will take place at Burnley crematorium at 2.20pm tomorrow. Donations to Pendleside Hospice.