BOMB BOY'S PULSE RACES
Bomb boy's pulse races
FORMULA One driving ace Damon Hill last night raced his way into the heart of a schoolboy victim of the Omagh atrocity.
He made a surprise visit to Londonderry's Altnagelvin Hospital to visit 12- year-old Alistair Hall who had his right leg amputated below the knee.
Former world champion Damon, who part in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, turned up along with Jordan team boss Eddie Jordan.
The first year pupil at Omagh Academy said: "I couldn't believe it when Damon and Eddie Jordan walked in. I was wearing the Jordan team outfit and cap that Eddie sent me a few weeks ago together with a model of a Jordan car.
"I love Formula One racing and I've always been a big Hill and Jordan fan. The day after the explosion, when I was coming out of theatre it was the day of the Hungarian Grand Prix and all I wanted to know was how the Jordan drivers had done. I was very happy to hear that Damon came fourth."
Joining in the chat with the two racing idols was Alistair's mother Gwen, who is also being treated for injuries she received in the explosion on August 15.
Damon Hill said he was deeply moved by his meeting with Alistair, who is a keen rugby player.
"It's quite shocking that Alistair has to be in hospital following something that was very tragic," he said.
"Eddie and I are only too happy to meet him and cheer him up. He's sitting there with his Jordan kit on. We brought him a few goodies and talked to him about Formula One and hopefully that will lift his spirits. He's a remarkable young man."
Last night's surprise meeting was set up by Alistair's neighbour and best friend Gareth Farmer who phoned the Jordan team at Silverstone and spoke to Eddie Jordan. Right away Mr Jordan promised that he and Damon would visit Alistair in hospital at the earliest opportunity. Discharged from Altnagelvin yesterday was 28-year-old Omagh student Suzanne Kelly, who lost her right leg in the explosion. Her mother Chris is still in Altnagelvin where she is being treated for serious head injuries which she received in the Real IRA bombing.
FORMULA One driving ace Damon Hill last night raced his way into the heart of a schoolboy victim of the Omagh atrocity.
He made a surprise visit to Londonderry's Altnagelvin Hospital to visit 12- year-old Alistair Hall who had his right leg amputated below the knee.
Former world champion Damon, who part in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, turned up along with Jordan team boss Eddie Jordan.
The first year pupil at Omagh Academy said: "I couldn't believe it when Damon and Eddie Jordan walked in. I was wearing the Jordan team outfit and cap that Eddie sent me a few weeks ago together with a model of a Jordan car.
"I love Formula One racing and I've always been a big Hill and Jordan fan. The day after the explosion, when I was coming out of theatre it was the day of the Hungarian Grand Prix and all I wanted to know was how the Jordan drivers had done. I was very happy to hear that Damon came fourth."
Joining in the chat with the two racing idols was Alistair's mother Gwen, who is also being treated for injuries she received in the explosion on August 15.
Damon Hill said he was deeply moved by his meeting with Alistair, who is a keen rugby player.
"It's quite shocking that Alistair has to be in hospital following something that was very tragic," he said.
"Eddie and I are only too happy to meet him and cheer him up. He's sitting there with his Jordan kit on. We brought him a few goodies and talked to him about Formula One and hopefully that will lift his spirits. He's a remarkable young man."
Last night's surprise meeting was set up by Alistair's neighbour and best friend Gareth Farmer who phoned the Jordan team at Silverstone and spoke to Eddie Jordan. Right away Mr Jordan promised that he and Damon would visit Alistair in hospital at the earliest opportunity. Discharged from Altnagelvin yesterday was 28-year-old Omagh student Suzanne Kelly, who lost her right leg in the explosion. Her mother Chris is still in Altnagelvin where she is being treated for serious head injuries which she received in the Real IRA bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/296
Published Date: 15-Sep-98
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