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'Without them I'd be six feet under' Accident survivor ‘in awe' of emergency service response
“He was in awe of them for saving his life and they were in awe of He was airlifted by the NAS Air Ambulance crewed by Advanced him for surviving.” Tim Carroll was describing the meeting of his dad, Paramedic Brendan Whelan and Captain Stephen Cusack. They flew 78-year-old Patrick Carroll and the group of individuals from the him to St James’s Hospital and he was there within 15 minutes.” combined Emergency Services who came to his assistance on January Sadly Patrick had to have his right leg amputated not long after 3rd last year when he was involved in a traffic accident. admission and subsequently had to have the front of his left foot also They were all reunited a number of weeks ago to allow for Patrick amputated. “He was in St James’s for six months. He had broken ribs, and his family to make a special presentation following a fundraising a broken collar bone, contusion on the brain and although they really venture. For Patrick, the special event was overwhelming. tried to save his left foot, they had to amputate the front part. It’s “He broke down twice in tears and Dad is not one for tears. He knew incredible that at 78 years of age, he survived all that.” they had given him a second chance at life and Patrick was discharged in July last year and we knew they had given us a second chance as although there were plans for rehabilitation, they a family,” Tim explained. could only be acted upon in December due to the “I said if he gets On January 3rd last year Patrick, as a pedestrian, pressures of COVID restrictions at the National was involved in an accident with a lorry. Tim, Rehabilitation Hospital (NRN) Dun through this I who was called to the scene, explained, “He ended Laoghaire. However, after two months in the NRH, am going to do up underneath the lorry. When I arrived it seemed Patrick was fitted with a prosthetic leg and walked something to the entire emergency services were there. The out of hospital. “He is able to walk around 50 metres at a time guards were there, the paramedics, the fire help raise funds brigade and the air ambulance crew. And over now which is amazing – the day of the presentation and give back in the next two hours they used their combined he got out of the car and walked over to the men some small way experience, talent, intelligence, courage and gathered there to greet them and thank them. brilliance to save his life and get him out and He’s in great form now – so appreciative. He has to the people and onwards to St James’s Hospital. I just can’t say a new perspective on life. As do we all as a family.” organisations that enough about their professionalism, how they It was almost immediately after the accident helped out on that conducted themselves and how much calm and that Tim decided that he wanted to give back – genius they used to save him.” that his entire family wanted to reach out and day,” Tim says he had been “assured immediately on express their deep appreciation and respect. “I said if he gets through this I am going to do arrival on speaking with Tomas Lawlor, Chief Fire Officer at the scene that everyone was doing something to help raise funds and give back in their best. That calmed me down and allowed me to observe events. some small way to the people and organisations that helped out on that day,” said Tim. Everyone did everything to the best of their ability – over and above And from that the Quest Fundraising Adventure was planned. An the call of duty.” avid cyclist, racer and Quest enthusiast, Tim explains that the Quest “They were under the lorry. From my perspective it seemed they were putting themselves in danger. They were talking to Dad the Adventure series involves a combination of cycling, kayaking and whole time, reassuring him, keeping him calm, telling him everything mountain running. A Clinical Engineer working with the HSE in was going to be all right. He was fully conscious during it all, yet now, Mountmellick, Tim has been engaged in the activity since 2019. For the special fundraising event, he teamed up with his sister-inhe has no recollection of it. law Fiona Kelly and good friend Barry Donnelly, and in October last “It really did seem to everyone at the scene that he wouldn’t make it. And he only made it because of what they did and the strength year they undertook a 113km cycling/kayaking/mountain running they gave him. Everyone there performed to an incredible level – they trip from his home in Shanahoe, Co Laois through the Slieve Bloom all worked in the moment, reacting to the situation and the mountains, kayaking in Vicarstown and finally ending up at his motherenvironment. The lorry wasn’t moved until the paramedics gave the in-law’s home in Portlaoise. While for most, it would seem arduous, Tim stresses that it’s really call. Dad was transferred into the awaiting ambulance and then enjoyable. “It’s all adventure stuff and we all get great pleasure out brought to the park in Abbeyleix where the air ambulance was waiting.
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