THIS Cleethorpes woman has been awarded £35,000 in a settlement after she claims gastric bypass surgery went horribly wrong.

Rachel Benefer, 28, weighed 23 stones, and resorted to surgery after struggling to lose weight because of health problems.

But following her keyhole surgery, doctors realised something was wrong, and she was rushed into intensive care before being placed in an induced coma.

It was claimed the surgeon had failed to close a small incision properly.

The mum-of-two spent a total of five weeks in hospital.

She said: "When I came out of the coma I couldn't walk, I was confused, I didn't know who anyone was and I was hallucinating.

"I kept asking my family what had happened and my memory is very patchy."

Rachel had struggled to lose weight due to a back injury and being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, which affects her hormones and caused her to pile on the pounds.

After researching gastric bypass surgery she was turned down for funding and had to see a dietician and psychologist for a year before she was allowed to have the operation.

She was referred to a surgeon at Hull Royal Infirmary and the operation was eventually funded by the NHS, but carried out at Hull and East Riding Classic Hospital.

The procedure reduced the size of her stomach and meant she could eat only small portions of food. It initially appeared to have gone well.

"Everything seemed fine and I was discharged," she said. "But a few days later I was being sick and I was in agony.

"I was rushed to hospital and ended up in intensive care for two weeks and was later placed in an induced coma."

It had been claimed the surgeon failed to suture one of the port entry sites used to insert the surgical instruments.

Rachel developed a hernia obstructing her small bowel, causing pressure which "blew out" the stomach bypass.

She then had acute peritonitis, an inflammation of the membrane which lines the inside of the abdomen and all of the internal organs. She needed two further operations.

"I spent a total of 11 days on a ventilator and also underwent a tracheotomy," she said.

"People think having a gastric bypass is an easy way out, but I had thought about it and had tried everything to lose weight, including hypnotherapy.

"When I was at 23 stone I was just a mess, I was depressed and also stopped working as a carer because I couldn't get about, I became a recluse.

"Before I hit puberty I was extremely thin but then the weight just piled on, even though I often only ate one meal a day.

"I didn't eat a lot of chocolate, sweets or crisps, I ate normal meals.

"My husband Chris has been by my side the whole time, we have been married for eight years and he loves me, no matter how much I weigh."

Rachel, of Clerke Street, claims she has been left with a number of problems since the operation in 2007.

"I can't move my big toe on my left foot and often fall over," she said.

"I have to use plastic plates because my hands seize up and I drop things, I'm even scared to be alone with my children."

She has sons, Jacob, two, and Aidan, who is just over a week old.

"At one point I went down to seven stones and after having another baby I now weigh about ten stones ten pounds," she said.

"People need to realise there can be complications, they need to research having a bypass and understand the risks involved."

Bridge McFarland lawyer and clinical negligence specialist Danielle Barney said about their case against the hospital: "This was a very painful experience for her and one that left her unable to work for a time and with an increased risk of serious long-term health problems.

"I am delighted that Rachel will now have some money to help her put this very traumatic experience behind her."

A spokesman for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "I can confirm that we reached a settlement with this patient.

"They have previously lodged a formal complaint with the trust and we responded to them directly."

Health news for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

Paul Hurst was 'delighted' with the result, if not the performance, against Alfreton on Saturday. Here is the Grimsby Town joint manager's post-match analysis of the clash

Victory over Alfreton…

" We're delighted with the victory. However, we have stood on the sidelines and felt quite comfortable a lot over the course of this season. We never really felt that on Saturday. "It was by no means our best performance. If you're not going to play to your optimum but score four goals and get a victory against Alfreton – who are never easy to play against – then that can only be a good sign for us. "At the odd time, we played football and when we did we looked dangerous. "But in the first half we struggled massively to get out of our own half, from the goal-kicks. "We tried splitting the full-backs and getting out that way, but credit to Alfreton they pressed us high up the pitch. "Our decisions on the ball weren't great. Once we worked our way up towards the half-way line, there were times when we could have slid a ball down the side and turned their back four around to get a breather, but we never did that. "In the second half we passed the ball more and created chances, but I never felt comfortable defensively. "Even at 86 minutes, I looked at the clock when they had a shot go wide and I was hoping for the referee to blow for full-time. "You never get any easy game against Nicky Law's team and we knew we had to be up for the fight. "They were winning the battles in the first-half, there's no getting away from it, and to go in at 2-1 was a massive bonus for us – we didn't deserve it at all."

Alfreton's penalty…

" It looked a penalty and it epitomised our performance. "Brodes had the opportunity to clear the ball, waited and then went to clear it and realised he'd given it away and reacted – positively in the sense of trying to get to the player. You could see it coming from the side, and at that point his inclusion didn't look justified!"

Richard Brodie…

" Brodes had a big hand in our goals. He won the penalty which he wanted to take, but Dev (Jamie Devitt) took one at Welling and scored, so he took responsibility and put it away nicely. "Then Brodes got the ball in the box, turned and managed to get a goal, which can only help his confidence. "I think he felt like the world is against him. Even in training or warm-ups, he's having shots and the keepers are making great saves or it's coming back off the post. "I think Andy (Cook) and Brodes linked up well when we did play our football. "In the second half when the game opened up a bit we created chances and looked a threat. "But for a couple of saves and some good defending, we could have had more goals."

Lenell John-Lewis…

" Lenell couldn't quite get into it in the first couple of minutes but then he showed his honesty. "He won a great header on the far side and had a hand in the goal when his effort was saved by Phil Barnes and Craig Disley got the follow-up for the fourth. He showed a bit of pace, closing the defenders down. He'll be a handful to play against, you could see that straight away. We've got real competition at the top end of the team."

Possible departures…

" Anthony Elding is speaking with a club at present to see if he can arrange a move. "Greg Pearson is available. He almost went to a club last week but it didn't quite happen. I think he's seen that he's down the pecking order. "While he is here and his attitude is right, you never know, but ultimately for him and his career, he needs to get away and be playing football."

Ross Hannah's omission…

" We took our leading goalscorer out of the firing line. He obviously wants to play, but he hasn't got on the pitch and we've scored four goals, so that can only be a positive for us."

Time for a rest…

" The lads will get a few days off now because next week is one of the very few weeks that is clear from action. "We've got Andi Thanoj and Aswad Thomas on international duty, and then it's really into the thick of it where it will be Saturday-Tuesday matches for pretty much the rest of the season."

NERVOUS wannabe actors were in the spotlight as they auditioned for a film which will be set in Grimsby.

Open auditions for support actors and extras took place at The Bank pub, in Grimsby, for the film Iris.

The director Matt Walker, who is also from Grimsby, has confirmed the budget has gone up from £870,000 to £1 million.

He says the plan is for Grimsby to become a film set in June for the shooting of the film, which is about a young couple going through fertility treatment

Matt, of Angel Motion Pictures, said: "We have had more than 20 support actors auditioning and about 100 extras who have signed up. We will now go through the auditions and will be in touch with people."

On the judging panel were also Matt's PAs, Terri Thomas and Emma Leeman.

Terri said: "We want to see emotion and people going for it.

"During the audition there is an improvised piece to get to know the character."

Ciaran Savage, 21, of Ulceby, auditioned for the characters of Rich and Tom. He appeared in an episode of Shameless in 2011.

"I thought my audition went well and I had to say lines from the film in front of the camera," he said.

"I have been to lots of auditions, such as for Fresh Meat in BBC Salford and all you have to do is focus and you'll succeed.

"It took around three days of filming for my Shameless scene and it was a fabulous experience.

"I was Chesney's childhood friend and my character was caught kissing his girlfriend."

Sean Wood, pictured below, of Cleethorpes, who is Kevin Hooper's boxing coach, auditioned as an extra.

Sean, 36, said: "I have auditioned as an extra for fun. I think it's good because the film will put Grimsby on the map.

"This is such a big thing and I hope the film's a success."

Keep reading the Grimsby Telegraph for updates.

IT'S the mark of a good team if you can play badly and still win – that's according to the well-worn football cliché anyway.

But the thing about clichés is that occasionally they're right.

And Saturday was just one of those instances, as the Mariners spent most of the first period in their own half before inexplicably wandering off at the break 2-1 ahead.

True, Town were playing into a strong headwind in the opening 45 minutes. And, also true, the hosts were massively improved after the break with that stiff breeze behind them.

But even the Mariners bosses couldn't deny that their charges were well below their best against an Alfreton line-up that mirrored manager Nicky Law's character.

The Reds were first to almost every ball in the opening stages and, even after falling behind, came storming back at the league-leaders to give them another scare or two late on.

Impressively, though, Town also refused to take a step back in the face of their latest physical test.

And that ability to 'mix it' with the likes of Alfreton in the same week as outplaying the likes of Luton, shows that this Mariners side are genuine title contenders.

The major talking points prior to kick-off at Blundell Park revolved around Ross Hannah and Andi Thanoj.

The top scorer dropped to the bench, as Richard Brodie returned up front to partner Andy Cook. Young midfielder Thanoj retained his place in the side, though, following his fine display against Luton.

Elsewhere, deadline-day signing Lenell John-Lewis was the second forward among the Town subs.

Familiar faces Phil Barnes and Darran Kempson lined up for Law's Reds, who ran out in blue.

The opening 20 minutes of the encounter are best forgotten, with the hosts put straight on the back foot by their determined visitors.

Cook did see an effort blocked short of the goal-line after Marcus Marshall's low eighth-minute corner, but that was it for the opening stages.

Things gradually picked up and the Mariners finally looked a threat as Sam Hatton's cross had to be tipped away by Barnes, and then Brodie tested the stopper with a header.

Within seconds, Jamie Devitt's cross from the right picked out Cook in acres of space in the box, but the centre-forward was disappointed with his tame shot.

For all their possession, Nathan Arnold registered the visitors' first shot on target in the 21st minute, with James McKeown right behind the 20-yarder.

That proved to be a warning shot for the Mariners, as five minutes later they were behind.

Dan Bradley was the Alfreton scorer, sending McKeown the wrong way from the penalty spot.

It was Brodie's clumsy tackle on Scott Boden in the home penalty box that, quite rightly, saw referee Karl Evans point to the spot. It was a centre-forward's challenge and gave Boden all the encouragement he needed to take a tumble.

Cook volleyed Thanoj's corner over the crossbar, before Brodie quickly made amends as he turned inside from the left flank, powered into the box and was hauled down by Leigh Franks. It was a stonewall penalty and Evans agreed once again.

Devitt, spurred on by his successful spot-kick at Welling last month, side-footed the ball into the bottom corner to level things up and give the Pontoon End something to cheer.

Marshall's excellent run and cross was almost met by Craig Disley three yards out as the half neared its conclusion.

But there was still time for Brodie to complete his transformation from villain to hero.

Devitt's free-kick dropped to the frontman in the box, and he turned his marker superbly before poking the ball past Barnes and into the bottom corner.

It would have made for a tricky half-time team-talk from the joint bosses, who may have been ready to unleash the 'hairdryer treatment', but instead had a precious lead to celebrate.

After the break, Town had the wind behind them and knew the next goal was crucial.

In the 57th minute, Brodie was involved again, failing to lift his lob high enough to beat Barnes after Cook's pass sent him through.

That partnership continued to thrive in the next attack when Brodie burst clear down the left and centred for the onrushing Cook.

The ball looked to be half-a-yard behind the striker as he ran towards the near post, but his flicked, back-heel finish was sublime and left Barnes rooted at his near post.

It was 3-1 and the points were in the bag, surely? Not quite – Aswad Thomas had to be on his toes to clear a Kempson header off his own goal-line, following an Alfreton corner.

And after Brodie became the first player booked and left the field for John-Lewis, another sub made an immediate impact.

Alfreton's Paul Clayton lashed home at the second attempt within two minutes of coming on, ensuring the Mariners couldn't take their foot of the pedal just yet.

Town couldn't afford to sit back with such a precarious lead – and they didn't. There were appeals for a third spot-kick of the match when Cook went down under pressure, but Evans waved them away this time. A 'Hatton special' then had Barnes at full stretch to keep his blistering free-kick out, but Town had their fourth before long.

Marshall clipped a cross in from the left and, after John-Lewis' effort was brilliantly saved by Barnes, Disley lashed home the rebound to make it 4-2. It was no more than the Mariners' second half display merited and finally knocked the stuffing out of their visitors.

Events elsewhere helped Town move three points clear of their promotion rivals with 17 matches between them a possible return to the Football League.

It's becoming increasingly hard not to look too far ahead, but – if you can excuse another popular cliché – let's just take it one game at a time, for now.

A DOG walker in Cleethorpes has been praised for raising the alarm which led to the rescue of two kite surfers.

Both men were plucked from the freezing waters of the mouth of the River Humber thanks to the call from an unidentified woman shortly after 11.15am on Saturday.

She gave a precise grid reference to Humber Coastguard rescuers, which speeded up their response to the alert.

The men, both believed to be in their 40s, one from Aldborough and the other from the Sheffield area, got into difficulties as a snow squall blew in from the sea.

One of the men became tangled in the kite as the water became choppy. His companion tried to assist him and they both got into difficulties.

A third man swam from the shore to try to help in the rescue, near to Bull Fort, a Humber Coastguard spokesman said.

The coastguard officer said he did not know how the woman caller was able to give the precise grid reference, but it enabled the Humber Coastguard boat to get to the scene quicker.

"We expect she was using an electronic device of some sort and it was very useful to us. She was definitely switched on and helped a lot.

"The water was shallow at that point so we called on the Cleethorpes Lifeboat crew, who helped bring the three people to shore. They did not require medical treatment.

"Kite surfing is clearly exhilarating, but needs to be done in a group with someone ashore to keep a watch on everyone. Luckily, on this occasion, there was a lady walking her dog nearby."

The spokesman advised no one should enter the water to attempt such a rescue.

"There have been numerous occasions when the would-be rescuer also ended up in trouble and needed rescuing, too."

Photographer Vernon Suddaby was walking along the shore at Humberston when he saw the drama unfold.

He said: "When I saw the conditions I thought it would be good for photographs. When I saw the coastguard vessel I started taking pictures.

"Even though I was a mile away I could see the two men pop into the lifeboat."

Cleethorpes lifeboat helmsman Ian Sanderson said: "The wind was gusting at about 25mph and it was very cold. During the snow squall it was getting like -4C and even colder in the water."

He praised fellow volunteers crew members, Glenn Petersen, Steven Austin and Martin Kennedy.

MOTORISTS are being warned they could face major disruptions from today due to the partial closure of one of the town's main roads.

One lane of Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby, will be closed as part of a £3 million scheme to upgrade the electricity supply to the town, which will see 3km of cable being reinforced or replaced.

As part of the scheme, a one-way system will be in place for the duration of the work in Boulevard Avenue, forcing some bus routes to be changed, which has angered some residents.

Buses being diverted until the works are complete include numbers 1, 2 and 20 travelling in both directions.

During that time, they will not serve the following streets:

Lord Street

Corporation Road

Gilbey Road

Elsenham Road

New Haven Terrace

They will divert via Victoria Street, Westgate and the A180.

Resident David Bilney, 71, of Haycroft Street, Grimsby, said: "It is a ridiculous situation.

"The council closed the road two years ago and again just before Christmas.

"I think that proper planning permission should be granted before anything like this happens.

"The residents in the area should get a proper consultation.

"The communication and the co-ordination is not good enough.

"I am not the only one that is not happy about this.

"The disruption with the buses is also not good enough."

A total of 3,500 letters were sent out to people and businesses regarding the work that is being carried out by Northern Powergrid.

Some living in the area said they did not think the works will cause a significant problem for traffic, but did express concerns about parking.

Georgina Medany, 28, of Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby, said: "I don't think it will cause much trouble because everyone in the area has been told in advance.

"I don't think the work is needed right now because we have just had all the gas system changed.

"I am thankful I don't have a car because I think parking will be a problem.

"It also puts people off visiting."

Roderick Stuart, a spokesman for Northern Powergrid, said: "This work is a significant project for us being carried out by our contractor Balfour Beatty to improve the electricity supply within the town.

"Sadly, the existing infrastructure is getting old and needs to be upgraded.

"It's a big job and some disruption to traffic flow is inevitable.

"We have discussed with the council how best to manage this and we've been making every effort to ensure local residents and businesses are advised in advance of the work taking place.

"Public notices have been taken out, letters have been sent to our customers and businesses have been visited.

"During the roadworks, Balfour Beatty is bringing in extra teams to speed up the work to get it completed as quickly as possible.

"We apologise in advance for any disruption this project might cause, but stress the work is extremely important and ensures the electricity supply serving this part of Grimsby is modern and fit for the future."

Further information

For bus timetable information, visit www.traveline.info or telephone Traveline on 0871 2002233.

ARRAN Brindle's stunning three-wicket burst helped England into the Super Six stage of the Women's Cricket World Cup this morning.
The Louth all-rounder helped restrict the West Indies to 101 all out in Mumbai, taking three wickets without conceding a run.
Brindle then added 14 with the bat as the reigning champions passed their target for the loss of four wickets, with 15 overs to spare.
See your Grimsby Telegraph for more updates from Arran Brindle and England's progress in India.

THE sale of the iconic Pier is "moving at 100 miles an hour" – but the owner will only sell if he knows it is in "safe hands".

A bidding war has now broken out between potential buyers for the Cleethorpes landmark, which failed to sell at auction on Saturday.

And owner and local businessman Bryn Ilsley is hopeful he can strike a deal by the end of the week.

Today, two London-based companies will be shown around the Pier and yesterday, Swindells Auctioneers were negotiating with two other firms, among other bidders.

Mr Ilsley, who owns several properties around North East Lincolnshire, said: "I have had more offers and more interest in the last 48 hours than I had in the two weeks before the auction, it has been unbelievable.

"But I want to see the Pier in safe hands, I am not going to let it go willy-nilly. I spent a lot of money, time and effort on it so I want it to go to the right person. It isn't like valuing and selling a three-bedroom terrace, it is the landmark of Cleethorpes."

The highest bid for the venue on Saturday night was £390,000 – falling £10,000 short of the guide price.

But after attracting attention from the national media, scores of potential buyers came forward – and it is likely it will surpass the £400,000 guide price.

Auction manager Tina Waterfall would not disclose the names of companies but is excited about the Pier's future.

She said: "Since the auction it has been going 100 miles and hour. We have had a lot of offers – including some silly ones – and I would think a buyer will be found by the end of the week.

"It is incredibly exciting, the interest is so varied, but the bidders are still holding their cards very close to their chest.

"I feel very passionate about the building, I have lived and breathed it for several months now, it is my baby and I can't wait to see it being put to fantastic use."

The highest price the Pier – which is one of just 55 in the country – has ever sold for was £1 million in the 1980s.

But there is still a chance Mr Ilsley will not sell and either rent it out or run the venue himself.

He added: "I am glad it hasn't sold, it means I have had more time to think things through. I am not going to rush into anything, if it sells it sells, if it doesn't there are other options we can look at."

A young woman was forced to flee out of a window after her boyfriend attacked her with a martial arts weapon, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Ashley Surfleet turned on Josina Clarke in the early hours while the couple were staying at his mother's home.

Surfleet, who had been sleeping, woke up and became angry when he noticed Miss Clarke was on the computer.

Esther Harrison, prosecuting, said: "He punched her to the face.

"He pushed and shoved her around. He then got some nunchucks from the bedroom and hit her repeatedly with them,'' added Miss Harrison.

''She was screaming and in pain."

Miss Harrison said the victim climbed out of a window and hid in some bushes.

Surfleet followed Miss Clarke and dragged her back into the house by the hair.

Surfleet punched her and then created a flame thrower after lighting the spray from an aerosol can which he used to burn her face.

Miss Clarke eventually managed to escape through a window and fled to a nearby house for help.

She suffered a broken arm, two black eyes and numerous cuts and bruises.

Surfleet, 20, who lives at Clinton Ville, Kirkby cum Osgodby, Market Rasen, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on September 22, 2012.

He also admitted an earlier offence of common assault on Miss Clarke. Surfleet was sent to a young offenders' institution for three and a half years.

Judge Michael Heath told him: "You professed to love her but you treated her in a way that was completely contrary of any expression of love.

''This was a serious incident of domestic violence," the judge added.

Michael Cranmer-Brown, defending, said Surfleet has since shown genuine remorse and recognises he needs help.

He said Surfleet had been using M-Cat as well as taking prescribed drugs which caused him to behave in the way he did.