Brain surgery patient suffering memory loss leaves hospital bed and is found 100 miles away

A hospital patient recovering from brain surgery was able to escape from his ward in Newcastle before being found 100 miles away.

Stephen Brew, 45, originally from Whitehaven, was reported missing to police at around 9am on November 23 after he disappeared from the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The father-of-four, who had been receiving treatment following surgery five weeks ago, was found yesterday afternoon at his tyre and taxi businesses in Whitehaven, Cumbria.

Brain surgery patient Stephen Brew, 45, originally from Whitehaven in Cumbria, was able to escape from his hospital ward in Newcastle and make a 100 mile journey to Cumbria

Mr Brew, had been transferred to Newcastle-upon-Tyne after suffering from three brain aneurysms.

Following his operation, Mr Brew was reliant on his parents, who had been visiting him during his hospital stay.

However on Friday morning there was no sign of him and he was reported missing.

His sister Sharon and twin brother, Paul Brew, feared Mr Brew would be vulnerable and exposed to the elements on his own and in a confused state.

The brain surgery patient was reported missing to police at around 9am on November 23 and later found at his tyre and taxi businesses in Whitehaven, Cumbria

The brain surgery patient was reported missing to police at around 9am on November 23 and later found at his tyre and taxi businesses in Whitehaven, Cumbria

But the brain surgery patient, who has been suffering from short-term memory loss, managed to flag down a taxi and travel to the Cumbrian coast.

Twin brother Paul Brew said: ‘He was in no fit state to be out on his own. I didn’t think he even had a coat or money.

‘He managed to get a taxi to his business in Whitehaven.

‘But he thinks he going on holiday and that is why he left the hospital.

‘The police were also there.

Mr Brew was being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle-upon-Tyne after suffering from three brain aneurysms

Mr Brew was being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle-upon-Tyne after suffering from three brain aneurysms

‘He’s lost all short-term memory.

‘Two weeks ago he didn’t know he had a business. He didn’t really know he had four children.’

Mr Brew was taken to the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven by ambulance once he was discovered.

Northumbria Police confirmed they carried out a search for Mr Brew and that he has now been found ‘safe and well’.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it was a police matter and it was co-operating with officers. 

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