The mother of two boys who were critically injured in a road traffic collision eighteen months ago has praised the air ambulance, NIAS and hospital staff for saving her sons’ lives.
Wendy Black from Clabby, Co Fermanagh got a phone call from the PSNI at 11.25am on 31st March 2024, Easter Sunday morning, that no parent ever wants to get. The officer informed her that her three sons and their father had all been involved in a single vehicle road traffic collision on the outskirts of Irvinestown.
Her eldest son Joshua, who was thirteen years old at the time, was critically ill with a serious head injury.
Within minutes, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service arrived at the scene and the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) were also tasked via the charity air ambulance. Emergency services worked on Joshua at the roadside before putting him into an induced coma by the HEMS doctor and advanced paramedic team and flying him to Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast.
Joshua’s twelve-year-old twin brothers’ Jake and Dylan were rushed to South West Acute Hospital (SWAH), Enniskillen via road ambulance. Jake had sustained minor broken bones but Dylan has suffered serious life changing injuries to the abdomen.
Wendy recalls, “I got to see Dylan at 12.45pm for ten minutes before I was rushed down the road to Belfast to be with Joshua. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, it wasn’t clear if he would make it and he was rushed straight into emergency surgery.”
Unbeknown to Wendy, Dylan’s condition had begun to rapidly deteriorate in Enniskillen resulting in the HEMS team flying back to Co. Fermanagh again in the air ambulance and airlifting Dylan from the SWAH to Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast.
“From when I saw Dylan at SWAH to when I saw him in the Royal, I was shocked by how bad he had got and how grey he looked.” Both brothers were put into intensive care together in the same ward following their life-saving surgery. Joshua spent 21 weeks in the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children and Dylan spent 14 weeks recovering from their life-changing injuries.
“Seeing my two boys’ condition in aftermath of their accident, I know without a doubt the air ambulance medical team were instrumental in saving their lives. No way would they have been here today but for the fast actions of the crew that day.”
Wendy said, “Joshua is acutely aware that he would not be here today without them. We recently visited the air ambulance base and we were delighted to meet Advanced Paramedic Rob who was part of the HEMS crew that Easter Sunday morning. Everyone was so nice and Rob was happy to explain to Joshua and Dylan what happened at the scene, where they were placed in the helicopter and to fill in the blanks and answer any questions about that day. The HEMS crew we met said how unusual it was for the air ambulance to be tasked twice to the one incident and to transport two brothers.”
She concluded, “The boys, myself and the rest of my family wish to thank Air Ambulance for all they have done for my boys and will be eternally grateful.”
While still on a journey of recovery with their life-changing injuries, the Black family want to express their deep gratitude to the air ambulance and medical staff who have got the boys to where they are today. Joshua has planned a fundraising quiz night to take place in the Royal British Legion, Enniskillen on Saturday 13th December in support of both Air Ambulance NI and the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. Entry is £10 each with light refreshments included. For those who would like to support the family’s fundraiser and cannot attend on the night, please visit here .
Damien McAnespie, Fundraising Manager for Air Ambulance NI, said, “The Black family have been through the most unimaginable eighteen months but have come through the other side. It was inspiring to meet Joshua, Dylan and Jake and to hear what they have all come through thanks to the work of all the emergency services involved that day and the ongoing continued work from hospital staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. It was wonderful to hear how clinical interventions at the scene and at SWAH coupled with the fast transport of both brothers by air ambulance to Belfast made a huge positive difference in this case. It is only though the public’s support for Air Ambulance NI Charity that has made this possible and it is incredible to see the real human impact that this has had with the Black family.”