The last days of agony of the martyr student Paul Limberea

A few days after Nicolski’s visit, I and Mărculescu were taken to the large room in the infirmary; other sick people were brought in instead of us. There were six beds in this room, and I did not know any of the people there. You could see that they had been taken from the re-education rooms: they were all frightened and suspicious of each other. Besides, I was just like them, but because I was sicker I could hide it better. (…)

After a few days the seventh patient was brought to the room. As there were only six beds in the room, the new arrival had to stay with someone else. As I was only in bed for a short time, I took him with me. I found out that his name was Paul Limberea and that he came from Pitești. He complained that he was choking.

He had developed a spontaneous pneumothorax as a result of the beatings, and he moaned all night because of the lack of air. I pretended to be asleep and could hear Nae Clipcea calling him: “Paulică, stop moaning so much, you’ll wake up Popicu, who is very sick”. I could feel the kindness in Clipcea’s words, but also his appreciation of my health.

Paul Limberea fell into a coma the day after his arrival and died with me that evening. I remember that there were doctors there who discussed the possibility of saving him by gradually removing the air with a syringe. But nothing was done to save Paul Limberea.

(Neculai Popa – Descent into Hell. The Pitești Phenomenon)