A MAN has died from an asthma attack brought on by the recent cold weather.
Steven Metcalfe, 38, had been in and out of hospital after suffering breathing problems made worse by plummeting temperatures.
Today, his father Tony has told how he was flown home from his job on a North Sea oil rig after hearing his son had died at home.
Mr Metcalfe, 58, who also suffers from asthma, said: "Asthma can strike you down – people need to take it a lot more seriously.
"It has knocked us for six. No one expected it."
His comments come as Asthma UK, which confirms the cold can trigger attacks, prepares to launch a campaign next week to heighten awareness of the condition.
According to the charity, asthma is responsible for 1,100 deaths a year – or three a day.
Welder Mr Metcalfe died suddenly on April 5, at his home on Longhill estate, east Hull, where he lived with his girlfriend of two years Debbie Brennan, 39.
Mr Metcalfe, of Kingswood, said: "Steven had been in and out of Castle Hill Hospital twice in the past few months.
"In particular, Steven had been having a lot of trouble with his circulation.
"The cold usually makes asthma worse. Over the past few weeks especially, he always seemed out of breath."
Mr Metcalfe, who developed asthma as a child, died in his bed, according to his family.
The death certificate states he died from a combination of heart failure and asthma.
"When you have asthma, your heart has to work that much harder," said Mr Metcalfe, who works for rig company Wood Group with his other son Lee, 31.
He said: "Lee and I were on different rigs but a helicopter collected us and flew us back to Aberdeen. We were then flown to Humberside Airport.
"Unfortunately, Steven had already died."
Mr Metcalfe said his son, like him, relied on two inhalers and always took his medication.
"The blue inhaler is used in case of an attack and the brown one each morning and night to prevent attacks," he said.
Mr Metcalfe and his wife, Maureen, 57, said their son, who spent his formative years in east Hull, was well-liked.
"Steven would do anything for anyone," said Mrs Metcalfe. "And he was always so helpful.
"He was really happy with Debbie and things were going well."
Mr Metcalfe said his son, an avid Hull FC and Liverpool fan, took his asthma in his stride and remained positive.
"Steven just got on with his life," he said. "As a kid, he didn't miss a single day at Winifred Holtby School.
"He went on to get his welding qualifications, but he wasn't working when he died because his asthma flared up."
Mr Metcalfe is also survived by his sister, Natalie, 36.
"Steven and Natalie's husband, Lee, were big friends," said Mrs Metcalfe.
Dr Samantha Walker, director of research and policy at Asthma UK, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Steven Metcalfe and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
"Asthma can be an extremely serious and potentially fatal condition with more than 1,100 people in the UK dying from asthma each year.
"We are working hard to develop ways of stopping people getting asthma and helping those who have it to stay fit and healthy. Our dedicated asthma nurses can offer expert advice and support through the Asthma UK Adviceline, on 08001 216244."
Mr Metcalfe's funeral will be held at 11.30am on Tuesday in the large chapel at Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium, west Hull.
A celebration of his life will be held after the service at the Jar In Hand pub in Sutton Park.
