PATIENT STORIES
Local Derry Radio Operator Damien Keys Survives 25ft Fall
On 13th November 2022, Damien Keys, a local joiner and part time driving instructor of 25 years, started his day like any other normal day with plans to carry out some maintenance work at one of the radio towers at…
Casey Hails Air Ambulance After her Fight for Life
On the morning of Thursday 11th July 2024, 25 year old Casey Crawford from the rural village of Beragh, County Tyrone, fell ill suddenly in her home. With no previous health problems, her heart completely stopped and she was in…
A Tribute to Downpatrick Man Mark Murphy
A Downpatrick man who tragically lost his life in a road traffic collision on February 22, 2024, in Newry has been remembered through a heartfelt fundraising event organised by the McLeigh family. Mark Murphy received care from the Helicopter Emergency…
Ardboe Community Give Back to Air Ambulance Following Peter’s Accident
Peter Quinn, a young bricklayer from Ardboe, Co Tyrone has thanked Air Ambulance NI after the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) was tasked to his workplace following a serious fall. On the 22nd July 2024, Peter was working on the…
Heartfelt Tribute to Tiarnán Trainor as Family Supports Lifesaving Emergency Services
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…
Hope in Tragedy – Greg’s incredible gift of organ donation
In 2021, Lee-Anne’s life was turned upside down when her husband, Greg, became critically ill at home. Faced with every spouse’s worst nightmare, she had to make the urgent call to 999. Reflecting on that day, Lee-Anne said, “I knew…
Adrian’s gift in will for Air Ambulance
Adrian Stewart from Ballymena sadly passed away in December 2023, suddenly, at his home in Ballymena. He had so much to live for, having got married just two years prior to Pearl and had finished building his dream home. Whilst…
Air Ambulance NI Highlights Increased Demand in advance of ‘Air Ambulance Awareness Week’
Air Ambulance Week 2024 takes off across the UK from 9 – 15 September, to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities across the UK. Here in Northern Ireland, local charity Air Ambulance NI is drawing attention…
Armagh Woman Walks 115km on the Camino de Santiago to Raise Funds for Air Ambulance NI
On May 27th, Corrina Hamilton from Armagh undertook the greatest challenge of her life, walking 115km over one week on the Camino de Santiago in memory of her husband Brian and stepson Gary. Inspired to support the air ambulance that…
Local family’s tragedy highlights importance of EpiPen’s
It was just over one year ago (13th June 2023) when Eamonn Hogan from Kilcoo, collected his youngest daughter Alexandra from school and started the drive home only for tragedy to strike. Eamonn was stung by a wasp and unbeknown…
Air Ambulance NI Thank local family for Fundraising Event
Joseph and Dolores Morgan from Leitrim County Down, recently made a presentation to the Air Ambulance NI Charity in acknowledgment of the excellent service Joseph received following an accident he had in February of this year. Joseph was airlifted to…
Ballymena Man, Thomas, Recovery After Motorcross Incident, Care from Air Ambulance and 36 Days in a Coma
In May 2023, Thomas McPeake, a keen motorcross biker from Ballymena found himself in a life-threatening situation during a routine motorcross practice session. Thomas had been out on his bike practicing at a nearby centre as he when he found…
Mark’s second chance after motorbike run disaster
A routine motorbike-run turned into disaster for Magherafelt’s Mark Whyte when he came off the bike in September 2022. Mark hit a car which broke his fall and required the services of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) by air…
A generous donation honouring a well-loved girl
The family of the late Abbie Nummy recently visited the operational base at Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, just outside of Lisburn, to make an incredible donation to the charity of £19,928, in Abbie’s loving memory. Abbie was only 14 years…
Glenshane Pass became intensive care unit for biker Hilary
Hilary Duddy, from the Waterside, Derry/Londonderry, was on her way to a charity event in Belfast on her classic motorbike 28th September 2019, travelling along the Glenshane Pass when she came off her bike and her world literally turned upside…
Oliver Kerr, Father-Of-Four Released From Hospital In Time To Spend Christmas With His Family.
On 5th December 2022, Oliver Kerr from Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone was driving his van on the outskirts of Coalisland when he had a high-speed head-on collision with a lorry. The NI Ambulance Service and the air ambulance were both tasked…
Heather’s Shocking Cattle Attack
It was just over two years ago, May 2021 when Heather, from outside Magherafelt, arrived home from work, planning to take her 12-year-old collie for a walk. She had no idea how her afternoon was to unfold and how lifechanging…
Tributes in memory of Kyra Five Years On
The McKinley family from Omagh, along with their friends, loved ones and local community, have raised over £200,000 for Air Ambulance NI charity in memory of their daughter, Kyra. Twenty-one-year-old Kyra McKinley passed away in hospital on the 18th August…
Trio Fund the Air Ambulance for Three Days
Three friends from Augher, Co Tyrone, alongside their families and the entire community, have raised £19,380 for Air Ambulance NI after they took part in this year’s Spar Omagh Half Marathon to raise vital funds for the charity. Rory O’Connor,…
Danny’s recovery from cycling disaster
On the 5th August 2022, Danny Byrne aged 12, from Co. Down was cycling home from his local shop when he was involved in a serious road traffic collision. Nurses from a nearby care home were first on scene to…
Lee-Anne grateful air ambulance service did ‘everything they could’ to save Greg
Just over two years ago, Lee-Anne and her husband Greg had everything to look forward to with their two young children, Dylan aged 4 and Jasmine aged almost 2. They were working on renovations to their new home in Lisburn,…
Air Ambulance at two Omagh Family Incidents
The Hollywood family from Omagh have been in two incidents that needed the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) over 18 months. Mountfield farmer Michael Hollywood never thought a trip to his local vets in Omagh would result in a serious agricultural…
In memory of Ollie
Family of Ollie raise in memory funds The Simmons and Watt families, their friends and local communities from Limavady and Donemana have raised a total of £12,690 for the Air Ambulance NI service in memory of Ollie. Ollie was just…
Antrim family so grateful for air ambulance assistance
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is one we all hope never to need, but for Barney Surgenor from Antrim, the 10th January 2022 was the day that he did. Whilst working on gutters he fell, receiving a serious head…
Once told she would never walk again, Crumlin woman is encouraging runners and walkers to register for Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon, in support of Air Ambulance NI
In 2019, Lauren McGivern participated in Belfast City Marathon Team Relay with her siblings in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, the charity for the service she credits for saving her life. Lauren, now 25, is encouraging everyone to get…
Martin’s Ride of Recovery
On the 15th August 2020, Martin Poll from Annacloy was on his motorcycle at a bend in the road between Hillsborough and Ballynahinch, when the worst happened. Martin’s bike crashed, causing him to be thrown from it into the middle…
Air Ambulance host patient Martin
We had the pleasure of hosting Air Ambulance NI patient, Martin from Fintona, his sister AnneMarie and nieces Molly and Aoibh, to the operational base recently. In March 2022, Martin was involved in an accident on his farm, which the…
Air Ambulance patient Joe’s shocking saw accident
Joe Kidd from Broughshane was working away cutting on his mothers’ property when he had an accident with the saw resulting in a serious injury to his left hand. His nephew Ben, there at the time looked down at Joe’s…
Community Comes Together in Beloved Teenagers Memory – The Nummy Family
People from Newry, Armagh, Dundalk and further afield gathered together on the 26th March 2022 in the ‘Hall for All’, Newry for an afternoon tea to raise funds for charity, Air Ambulance NI (AANI), in Abbie Nummy’s memory. Abbie, aged…
11yr old Michael thanks Air Ambulance NI
Michael McCaughey from Beragh, Co Tyrone never thought he would require treatment from the team on board the air ambulance, just six weeks after his school, St Oliver Plunkett P.S., had done a fundraiser for the Air Ambulance NI charity…
Ryan thanks air ambulance medics and encourages community to learn CPR
Monday 9th August 2021 began like any other day for Ryan Nelson from Lurgan Co Armagh. Ryan was a fit and healthy 43-year-old who loved his football and being outdoors. He had just arrived home that morning with a coffee…
Artist required air ambulance after fall from height
Oliver McParland (64), originally from Belfast and local resident of Ballycastle shares his experience of needing the air ambulance Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, following a fall of 15 feet last summer whilst painting. “I was painting a bit of fence…
William Graham crushed by dump truck, recovered against the odds
On Wednesday 1st April 2020, 40-year-old William Graham was involved in a life-threatening accident when he was crushed by a dump truck at his home in Annalong, Co Down. William had been doing some maintenance around his home. A fault…
Air Ambulance NI tasked to Johnny Wigham after Farming Incident
On Sunday 26th September 2021, Johnny Wigham, a self-employed lorry driver from Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone was doing some work on his family farm. Johnny was driving a Manitou around midday when the vehicle toppled over in the yard causing his…
Family and friends step out in memory of Arnie Clarke, walking in his footsteps
Nichola McGregor, from Belfast was joined by family and friends and recently stepped out to raise vital funds for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland in loving memory of Nichola’s late partner, Arnie Clarke. Arnie who was just 55, sadly passed away…
Air Ambulance needed for Joey on his 2nd birthday
On the 10th of July 2020 Hollie Anne Strahan was setting up for her son Joey’s 2nd birthday party at their home in Ballymoney. Hollie Anne’s partner Gerald was with Joey on the bouncy castle before his friends and family…
Tasha Thanks Emergency Services 10 Weeks after her RTC
On the morning of Saturday 10th April 2021, 20-year-old pharmacy student Tasha Marshall from Coleraine was driving to her part-time job in Belfast when she suddenly hit a patch of black ice on the road, causing her to lose all…
Crumlin United footballer suffers cardiac arrest during match
On 11th July 2020, Belfast man Brendan Dorrian (33) was playing a training match with Crumlin Utd Football Club, when he suddenly collapsed on the pitch much to the shock of his team mates and spectators. Brendan was an incredibly…
7-year-old Sean Sterritt
On Sunday 21st February 2021, 7-year-old Sean Sterritt and his father headed out for a leisurely kayak on the Cusher River in Tandragee. Unfortunately, both Sean and his father were thrown from the kayak into the freezing cold water. Sean’s…
John’s near-death cardiac arrest in cattle field
On the afternoon of the 25th November 2019, Dungannon farmer John Gray was in his field tending to his beef cattle when he collapsed. John’s brother Billy was nearby, saw his brother in the field but was unsure what had…
Logan Whiteside
Saturday 25th August 2018 was like any other Saturday for 15-year-old Logan Whiteside, playing football in Victoria Park, East Belfast with his team, Ballysillan Swifts, while his dad watched. That was until a football tackle left him in desperate need of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Logan had suffered a traumatic leg injury and was in an immense amount of pain,…
Air Ambulance Patient Anna Defies Odds and is Celebrating her 12th Birthday
The Neville family from Cookstown in County Tyrone are looking back on the past 12 months, a year filled with heartbreak and uncertainty. On 26th October 2019, a family day out to celebrate their daughter Anna’s 11th birthday ended up…
Philip English Encourages Support For AANI After Life-Changing Road Collision
On a bright Tuesday afternoon on 23rd July 2019, Philip English was on his way from work in Banbridge to Newcastle to join the family when a tragic road traffic collision meant that his onward journey would be by air rather…
Amazing recovery of Patient Daniel Muldoon
On the early evening of Friday 12th July 2019, 36 year–old Daniel Muldoon from Coalisland, Co Tyrone was involved in a serious motorcycle crash outside Dungannon. Daniel was driving his Yamaha YZF R125 motorcycle with his friend Birt when he hit a slump in the road sending the motorcycle into a cast iron…
David McCully’s Birthday Fundraiser inspired by his youngest granddaughter
Ballyward man, David McCully, was delighted to handover a cheque for £700 this week to local charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland after the family needed the service for their youngest granddaughter, Alix. An accident happened on Thursday 13th February when…
Farmer David Thompson encourages support for Air Ambulance NI
David Thompson, from Sion Mills, was working on his family farm just over a year ago when an accident unfolded that almost cost him his life. David said, “It was 17th April 2019, a foggy start to the morning. I…
Cillian’s Day
On 24th April 2019, the Rogers family from Newtownards had their world turned upside down. What started as a normal day for 4-year-old Cillian, playing with his dinosaurs and eating pizza, suddenly turned to tragedy when he was knocked down…
Air Ambulance NI helps Ben aged 6 in slurry incident.
Next month, Andrea Robinson from Aughnacloy in Co. Tyrone will be marking a year to the day of an almost tragic incident on the family farm involving her son Ben, aged 6. It was 29 May 2019 and the family…
Ellie McDonnell – “I don’t remember much about that day. All I know is that the air ambulance saved my life…”
Last July, 15 year old Ellie McDonnell from Co. Down was preparing to represent team Northern Ireland at a show jumping competition in Wales when she was involved in a terrible accident that could have had fatal consequences. Ellie was…
Eoghan Kerlin – “…he had an open fracture in his leg, his femur was shattered, and he had broken ribs and a bruised lung.”
Eoghan Kerlin from Dungiven was taking part in a quad motocross event in Cookstown in September 2018. Eoghan was out on the trail but unfortunately went over a jump at the same time as another competitor and collided at speed….
Rebekah Jones – “I made the decision to try and veer my car into the wall on the side of the road…”
On the morning of July 2018, Rebekah Jones was on her way to work when she was involved in a road traffic collision just outside Saintfield. Rebekah normally travelled to work with colleagues but on the day of the accident…
Damien Laverty
The morning of the 20th March 2018 began just like any other for Damien Laverty (46). Damien left his home in Ballynahinch to go to work at Carryduff Building Supplies, but little did he realise how different his day would…
Margaret Hanvey
On Thursday 4 January this year Margaret Hanvey (77) from Larne took a phone call from her daughter Alison. Alison was running late to pick up her daughter, Katie (16), from school and asked if Margaret could collect her. They…
Tom Hadden – A normal working day…
For Tom Hadden (51) the morning of 9th November 2017 began like any other day. Tom headed out to work as a bin lorry driver, a job he has been doing for 35 years, when his day took a turn…