Gregory Connolly’s life took a dramatic turn in October 2023. While changing a lightbulb at height at home in a shed with his brother Paul, Gregory fell from scaffolding approximately 17 feet. The fall resulted in severe injuries, including several brain bleeds, a laceration and a fracture to his head, multiple broken ribs to his right side, and two fractures to his right shoulder.
When the fall occurred, Paul immediately called Gregory’s wife, Mairead, who is a nurse, and understood the severity of Gregory’s condition, calling 999 immediately.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service dispatched an ambulance and they were first to arrive and began working on Gregory putting in an IV line. Shortly after, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service team (HEMS) were tasked by air ambulance and arrived in the next-door field. The doctor and paramedic decided that Gregory needed to be induced into a coma at the scene; an intervention undertaken outside of hospital only for the most critically ill or injured, when life is in the balance.
Gregory was flown to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast (RVH), but he has no recollection of the events that day. The traumatic experience still lingers, and even driving near the RVH brings back difficult memories for his family.
During his 16-week hospital stay, Gregory had many stages in his road to recovery, not least of all the discovery of an aortic valve problem, just three days into his time in intensive care. The family was advised that if it hadn’t been for the fall, this condition may not have been discovered and could have taken Gregory’s life at any time. Gregory was discharged from hospital on Valentines Day – 14th February 2024 in relation to the injuries from his fall, however required open heart surgery in November 2024.
Mairead said, “As a family we are acutely aware of how fortunate we are to have Gregory with us today. He showed great strength and resilience throughout. Whilst it was a fantastic Valentines gift to have Gregory discharged from his head injuries in February 2024, we continued to have worries about his heart condition until after he had surgery. There were so many prayers said for Gregory locally and as far as America, Australia, Canada, Rome and England which we are truly grateful for and I know helped his recovery. It has been great to meet with some of the medical team as part of our healing; and see the helicopter which our grandchildren refer to as ‘Geggy’s Helicopter’”!
His daughter Arlene, who had a fall as a toddler resulting in brain surgery following a clot, was there to support him, just as he had supported her during her recovery.
Gregory, Mairead, daughter Arlene and Gregory’s grandchildren recently visited the airbase, to express their gratitude to the HEMS team. The visit was a poignant reminder of the importance of emergency medical services and the heroes who work tirelessly to save lives every day. Gregory’s journey with the air ambulance not only saved his life but also raised their awareness of the fact that life can change in an instant.
Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising at the charity said, “”Despite the challenges, Gregory’s story is one of survival and gratitude. Patients are at the centre of everything we do, and meeting Gregory and his family was humbling. Thanks to the support of the public, we are there for everyone, in their critical time of need.”
Gregory added, “Without the swift response and expert care of the HEMS team, I wouldn’t be here today. Next year I hope to reach my 70th birthday and am so happy I had the chance to recover and be here for my wife, children and grandchildren. My wife and I were pleased to present the Air Ambulance charity with a donation of £2,000 and I am so proud that my daughter Arlene gave an additional £200 from her and her husband Stephen. I encourage our community to support in any way you can.”
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, continues to be a lifeline for communities across the province, offering the HEMS sevent days a week, twelve hours a day.
The service is dedicated to providing emergency medical assistance to anyone in need, regardless of location, with the primary aim of saving lives, brains and limbs. Equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by highly trained professionals, the service delivers emergency pre-hospital care directly to patients who are seriously ill or injured.
Operating at a remarkable pace, the aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes, ensuring rapid response to emergencies. On average, the medical team is called upon twice daily to respond to a range of incidents, including serious road traffic collisions, farm or workplace accidents, sport and leisure incidents, and medical emergencies.