HOSPITALS REVEAL HORROR OF INJURIES
Hospitals reveal horror of injuries
Baby is among wounded
By Nigel Gould
SOME Omagh bomb victims received horrific injuries through exploding polystyrene, it was revealed today.
Several of the 25 patients being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast were injured seriously when the polystyrene exploded like ballbearings.
Also among the injured at the Royal is a 13-month-baby who has shrapnel wounds.
Fifteen women, six men and four children are currently being treated at the Royal.
Of that total, eight people have major head injuries, seven have fractures, six have burns and four have serious eye injuries.
Four women, one man and two children are described as critical.
The remaining victims range from seriously ill to stable.
A further 21 of the most seriously ill victims are being treated at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Of that total, 17 are female, four are male and six (three girls and three boys) are aged between 12 and 14.
Two of the injured are described as very seriously ill, four seriously ill, three ill and 12 are stable.
Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that more than 600 pints of blood were issued across the province to the emergency services tending the bomb victims. More than 150 pints of blood were needed at Altnagelvin, 150 at the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh and between 60 and 70 at the Erne in Enniskillen.
Altnagelvin's consultant haematologist, Dr Mary Ryan, said: "Those who donated blood in the past eight weeks saved lives in the past few days.
"None of these people were to know just how important their blood donations would be.
"The recent responses to donations has helped us replenish stocks but blood donations have a shelf life of just two months and consistent continual donations remain extremely important."
A spokesman for the NI Blood Transfusion Service warned that more blood was needed - with many of the injured needing operations over the coming weeks and months.
Baby is among wounded
By Nigel Gould
SOME Omagh bomb victims received horrific injuries through exploding polystyrene, it was revealed today.
Several of the 25 patients being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast were injured seriously when the polystyrene exploded like ballbearings.
Also among the injured at the Royal is a 13-month-baby who has shrapnel wounds.
Fifteen women, six men and four children are currently being treated at the Royal.
Of that total, eight people have major head injuries, seven have fractures, six have burns and four have serious eye injuries.
Four women, one man and two children are described as critical.
The remaining victims range from seriously ill to stable.
A further 21 of the most seriously ill victims are being treated at Altnagelvin Hospital.
Of that total, 17 are female, four are male and six (three girls and three boys) are aged between 12 and 14.
Two of the injured are described as very seriously ill, four seriously ill, three ill and 12 are stable.
Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that more than 600 pints of blood were issued across the province to the emergency services tending the bomb victims. More than 150 pints of blood were needed at Altnagelvin, 150 at the Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh and between 60 and 70 at the Erne in Enniskillen.
Altnagelvin's consultant haematologist, Dr Mary Ryan, said: "Those who donated blood in the past eight weeks saved lives in the past few days.
"None of these people were to know just how important their blood donations would be.
"The recent responses to donations has helped us replenish stocks but blood donations have a shelf life of just two months and consistent continual donations remain extremely important."
A spokesman for the NI Blood Transfusion Service warned that more blood was needed - with many of the injured needing operations over the coming weeks and months.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0080
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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