Mark Coleman Awake, Recovering in Hospital: ‘I’m the Happiest Man in the World’

The worst may be behind MMA legend Mark Coleman, who is alert and responsive in the hospital after rescuing his parents from a house fire.

On Tuesday morning, Coleman was airlifted to a local hospital after saving his parents from a fire at their home, and he was in critical condition for smoke inhalation. The emergency recovery efforts have gone well, as the medical personnel have reportedly cleared a great deal of material from his lungs to allow him to regain consciousness and speak again. “The Hammer” is no longer on a machine to assist his breathing, as he is breathing on his own, according to a post on Thursday from daughter McKenzie.

“Update: this is Kenzie. God is good. Miracles do happen. Our dad is breathing on his own. We still have a long road ahead of us but we are truly thankful. We want to thank you all for the love and support from the bottom of our hearts,” she wrote on social media.

While the caption thanked everyone for support and explained that Coleman is no longer in critical condition, the video she posted along with it told a much more heartwarming story. Coleman rescued both parents from a fire at their house, with the 59-year-old carrying them both to safety, but he was unable to save his dog, Hammer.

“I’m the happiest man in the world,” Coleman exclaimed as his family embraced him. “Sweet God I’m so lucky. I can’t believe my parents are alive…I had to make a decision…I got out of my room and went to the door, and it was already horrible [and] I couldn’t breathe. I almost had to go outside. I went back in and I got them, I can’t believe it. I got them but I couldn’t find Hammer.”

Coleman’s daughter Morgan Coleman set up a GoFundMe to help contribute to the medical expenses, and to help the family members that will be taking time off from work to assist in his recovery. In the day-plus its inception, it has already exceeded the $50,000 goal by a wide margin.