Latest news with #HelicopterEmergencyMedicalService
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
US tourist 'hit accelerator rather than brake in fatal crash' near UK landmark
A court heard US tourist Cathy Stewart, 67, hit a woman who was sitting on a bench near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland with her vehicle - the woman later died An American tourist involved in a fatal crash near the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland hit the accelerator rather than the brake, a court heard today. US resident Cathy Stewart, 67, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' court charged with causing death by careless driving. A police officer told the court the collision, involving a grey Ford Transit vehicle, happened at the front of the Causeway Hotel in Bushmills at around 12.15pm on Wednesday. The officer said a pedestrian who was sitting on a bench was hit during the crash. The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Ambulance Service personnel rushed to the scene of the collision. The pedestrian was taken to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine but sadly died of her injuries. In court, the police officer said footage obtained from the hotel showed the vehicle being "parked in a disabled parking bay" before passengers departed, Belfast Live reports. The court heard that the footage shows the vehicle "move forward slowly" before it "suddenly bolts forward". The deceased's brother, who was also sitting on the bench, managed to "jump out of the way" of the moving car, the court heard. The officer said Ms Stewart, who was cautioned at the scene, "gave an account consistent with the CCTV." The driver told police she had "tried to apply the foot brake and hit the accelerator" and she "appeared remorseful" during interview, the officer said. The defendant said she had "never driven an electric or hybrid vehicle before" and had mistakenly believed the vehicle was "off". The court was told the defendant said she had got back in to the car and was "feeling for the brake to stop the vehicle". A defence solicitor described the collision as a "tragic, tragic case" where a "simple error" has had "catastrophic consequences." The solicitor read a portion of the defendant's interview with police, where Stewart had described herself as "just devastated". The solicitor told the court the defendant had said she "can't get that family out of my head" and that her "only thoughts are with that family". The court heard the defendant had worked for decades as a special needs teacher, had no criminal record, and had never been involved in an at-fault collision before. Bail was granted with a £5,000 cash surety with the judge describing it as "entirely disproportionate" to keep the defendant in custody or away from her home in the United States during what he said is expected to be a lengthy judicial process. The case was listed again for July 1.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Paralysed man spends year writing letter of thanks
Three years ago, Leonard Mullin's life changed forever. A fall down the stairs at his home in County Tyrone left him paralysed from the chest down with limited use of his limbs. "I remember going down the stairs and the next thing I remember is waking up days later in hospital," he said. Doctors told Leonard that the accident had caused an injury to his spine. He said: "My injury means that my movement is extremely limited. The accident left me a quadriplegic. "I get some flickers of movement in my legs and in my arms, but very little." Leonard says he is thankful to be alive. "I'm lucky to have good family," he said. "Mum found me first and then my sisters came to my aid, and then my neighbours and they phoned the ambulance." After the call to emergency services, the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance was dispatched. The Air Ambulance is a charity that works alongside staff from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Leonard credits the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service that came to his aid that day with saving his life. As an expression of his gratitude, Leonard decided to hand-write a letter of thanks to the paramedics that were there on the day of his accident. While putting pen to paper is something most of us do without thinking about, for Leonard, every letter and word he writes is a battle. He said: "I wanted to do something personal, something I could do myself, but it has been extremely challenging. "I can only do so many words and letters a day and I have to use my left arm on days I am able to, but it takes up so much energy." It has taken more than year, but writing a couple of words a day, Leonard finished the letter to coincide with the third anniversary of his accident which occurred earlier this week. "Finishing this letter has taken so much out of me, to me it's like climbing the highest mountain, but now that it's done, it means everything to me." The final paragraph of Leonard's letter reads: "Please share my heartfelt thanks with everyone involved in my rescue. I will forever hold your team in the highest regard, with deepest appreciation, Leonard Mullan." BBC News NI was there to capture the moment Leonard finished the letter and hand-delivered it to some of the paramedics that helped save his life. Damien McAnespie from Air Ambulance NI said: "This is an incredible challenge that Leonard set for himself. "He and his family should be very proud of what he has achieved." Following the emotional scenes of Leonard handing over the letter, he said that he hoped his story might provide others with hope. He added: "Finishing the letter feels like the best achievement of my life and words cant express my gratitude to the air ambulance and the ambulance crew. "But I also hope it shows people that even if you have a spinal injury like mine, if you don't give up, you will be surprised with what you can achieve, just keep on going."
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Paralysed man spends year writing letter of thanks
Three years ago, Leonard Mullin's life changed forever.A fall down the stairs at his home in County Tyrone left him paralysed from the chest down with limited use of his limbs."I remember going down the stairs and the next thing I remember is waking up days later in hospital," he told Leonard that the accident had caused an injury to his said: "My injury means that my movement is extremely limited. The accident left me a quadriplegic."I get some flickers of movement in my legs and in my arms, but very little."Leonard says he is thankful to be alive. "I'm lucky to have good family," he said."Mum found me first and then my sisters came to my aid, and then my neighbours and they phoned the ambulance."After the call to emergency services, the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance was Air Ambulance is a charity that works alongside staff from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Leonard credits the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service that came to his aid that day with saving his an expression of his gratitude, Leonard decided to hand-write a letter of thanks to the paramedics that were there on the day of his accident. While putting pen to paper is something most of us do without thinking about, for Leonard, every letter and word he writes is a said: "I wanted to do something personal, something I could do myself, but it has been extremely challenging."I can only do so many words and letters a day and I have to use my left arm on days I am able to, but it takes up so much energy."It has taken more than year, but writing a couple of words a day, Leonard finished the letter to coincide with the third anniversary of his accident which occurred earlier this week."Finishing this letter has taken so much out of me, to me it's like climbing the highest mountain, but now that it's done, it means everything to me." The final paragraph of Leonard's letter reads:"Please share my heartfelt thanks with everyone involved in my rescue. I will forever hold your team in the highest regard, with deepest appreciation, Leonard Mullan."BBC News NI was there to capture the moment Leonard finished the letter and hand-delivered it to some of the paramedics that helped save his life. Damien McAnespie from Air Ambulance NI said: "This is an incredible challenge that Leonard set for himself."He and his family should be very proud of what he has achieved."Following the emotional scenes of Leonard handing over the letter, he said that he hoped his story might provide others with added: "Finishing the letter feels like the best achievement of my life and words cant express my gratitude to the air ambulance and the ambulance crew."But I also hope it shows people that even if you have a spinal injury like mine, if you don't give up, you will be surprised with what you can achieve, just keep on going."
