The community of Killeavy and Jonesborough has been left heartbroken by the tragic loss of 13-year-old Tiarnán Trainor, who passed away on January 3rd following a quad bike accident. Despite the valiant efforts of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service crew from Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, who assisted Tiarnán to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast with support from their colleagues at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, his injuries sadly proved fatal.

Tiarnán, also known as TT, was the “loved and cherished” son of Conor and Majella and much-loved brother to Aimee and Ellie-Mae. Known for his boundless love, affection, and vibrant personality, Tiarnán brought happiness and joy to everyone around him. His family describes him as someone who ensured “life was never dull,” and his loss has left them utterly devastated.

In the face of unimaginable grief, Tiarnán’s family has chosen to honour his memory by supporting the emergency services that worked tirelessly to save his life. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for charity Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and two departments at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, namely the Emergency Department and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Majella, Tiarnán’s mother, reflected on the incredible care her family received, saying, “As a family, we witnessed an expert team of medical professionals across three different care sectors do everything within their expertise to give Tiarnán a chance of survival. Sadly, his injuries were too severe. Throughout the entire process, they treated Tiarnán and us with the utmost respect and dignity.”

The response to the fundraiser has been overwhelming, with tens of thousands of pounds already raised in Tiarnán’s memory. Majella is encouraging continued support, emphasising, “we never know when we might need these services ourselves in the future.”

Amy Henshaw, Area Fundraising Manager at Air Ambulance NI, expressed her gratitude to the family and community, stating, “Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies are with Tiarnán’s family and loved ones.  We sincerely thank them for thinking of us as they navigate their loss and are deeply moved by the generosity of those supporting Tiarnán’s family and our charity during such a devastating time.”

Amy also highlighted the importance of the air ambulance service, noting, “On average, the clinical team is tasked twice a day, every day. We never know what the day holds, and anyone can need our services following an unexpected trauma or serious medical emergency. Our highly skilled medical team can reach patients within minutes, providing critical interventions that can save lives, giving hope. Public support of £6850 per day is vital to ensure we can continue flying throughout 2025 and beyond.”

Tiarnán’s family and their community are determined to turn their grief into action, helping to sustain the lifesaving efforts of these critical services. Donations to their campaign can be made via the GoFundMe link, https://www.gofundme.com/f/tiarnan-trainor-tt