Paul Alexander, man inside iron lung for more than 70 years, dies aged 78

A man who lived in an iron lung for seven decades after contracting polio as a child has died. Paul Alexander, of Dallas in Texas, US, was paralysed by the virus at the age of six in 1952. He was rushed to hospital after developing symptoms and woke up inside a mechanical lung. Mr Alexander, who was given the name ‘the man with the iron lung’, lived inside it for the rest of his life. According to a Gofundme page set up to help pay for Mr Alexander’s care, he died on Monday. Watch more on Independent TV: Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: Videos, daily editorial and mo