In early 1988, the British neuropsychiatrist Dr. Peter Fenwick, an expert on near-death experiences, appeared in the BBC documentary “Glimpses of Death” to comment on the near-death visions of people who had briefly died, or nearly died, and then come back to life. After it aired, thousands of people wrote him letters describing similar stories. Dr. Fenwick sent them a lengthy questionnaire to categorize their accounts. He presented his findings in “The Truth in the Light: An Investigation of Over 300 Near-Death Experiences,” the book that he wrote with his wife, Elizabeth Fenwick, published in 1995.
After Dr. Fenwick died on Nov. 22 at age 89, his obituary brought a wave of comments from readers about their own near-death experiences. A selection, condensed and edited, is below.
“I once knew a teacher who told me about his experience with his mother when she died. A few seconds before she left this world, she suddenly said very clearly: ‘It is so beautiful!’ And then she passed away. I’m not a religious person and I have no idea if there’s a life after this present one. But that story has stayed with me ever since I heard it in 1991.” — Michel Forest, Montreal, Quebec
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“In 1981, I was working in an offshore oil rig when a 1,000-pound metal pipe fell on my thigh, snapped my femur and severed my femoral artery. I was bleeding to death. After a quick medevac flight to the emergency room, I lost so much blood that my blood pressure dropped and my heart stopped. I flatlined.
At that moment, I found myself hovering above myself on the hospital table. No pain. I could see my disfigured leg and felt sorry for my body. Then a beautiful bright light came through a dark tunnel. It was stunning and as ‘real’ as any memory I have. But then I realized I had to go back and instantly awoke in massive pain. I had never heard about near-death experiences and was afraid to tell this story due to ridicule. But it happened. It was as ‘real’ as life is. I don’t fear death now. It’s just another level of consciousness.” — Jeff Sears, Norwalk, Conn.
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“Dec. 3, 2003, I had a sudden, severe pancreatitis attack. The pain was extreme. With my wife and daughter out for the weekend, I had to drive myself to the emergency room five minutes away. I passed out as I entered the emergency area. Lying on the gurney, I saw ‘the light’ at the ceiling and knew I was either dead or near death. The feeling was extraordinarily blissful; I knew that it would be a loving transition to a new world. I had to decide — stay or go. I was not done playing with my children, so I stayed. I looked up and there was my 16-year-old daughter.” — Elliot Hoffman, San Francisco