Friends and family of a Calgary man who was clinging to life in Mexico confirm Troy Black has died.
Thirty-four-year-old Black died Saturday night, after suffering a tear in his esophagus while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta.
“We’re sad to report that Troy Black passed away last night due to cardiac arrest,” John Boyd said Sunday morning on a Facebook page that was created to help save Black’s life. “On behalf of Troy’s family and friends, thank you all so much for your outpouring of love and support.
“Thank you all so much. And a special thanks to all of you who donated blood — your donation will save the lives of [others].”
His family had made a plea for help on social media after they said Black used all of the O-positive blood on hand at the hospital where he was being treated.
The social media post asking Calgarians vacationing nearby to donate blood to help Black was shared thousands of times. Some even offered to pay for flights to get people there to donate.
Lindsay Black, Troy’s wife said in a Facebook post Saturday morning that the medical team’s hard work had been helped by blood donations.
Doctors had been waiting until Black was stable enough to perform surgery to repair the tear. It’s unclear if that surgery went ahead.
A friend of the Black’s told Global News the family is now trying to figure out the next steps.
“It was heartbreaking. She didn’t have to say anything, you just knew… complete silence on the phone,” Cole Porter said, referring to Lindsay .
“I’m still in shock I don’t think it’s really settled with me… I think that will be the hardest part coming home to her home seeing all his stuff,” she said.
“She’s not ready to be a widow. She’s so young.”
Porter said Lindsay is still pleading with the public to continue giving blood, in an effort to save more people.
“All she said was ‘please keep asking people to donate blood’ just because she wants more to live.” Porter added.
Global News has confirmed Black is the son of former Alberta politician Pat Nelson.
Nelson served as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. She served as the province’s Minister of Energy for five years. She was also Minister of Finance.
With files from Jill Croteau.