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 the 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 had suffered serious, life-changing injuries to the abdomen.

Wendy recalls, “I got to see Dylan at 12.45 pm 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.”

Unbeknownst 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 the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast.

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 the 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.” 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.”

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 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 through the public’s support for Air Ambulance NI Charity that this has been made possible, and it is incredible to see the real human impact that this has had on the Black family.”