ARMY AIRLIFTS VICTIMS TO HOSPITAL
Army airlifts victims to hospital
A FLEET of military helicopters was involved in a massive operation yesterday, ferrying horrifically injured people to hospitals all over the province. An army spokesman said both army and RAF helicopters were involved in emergency airlifts, and they had been assisting the local medical services since the bomb blast ripped through Omagh. Major incident plans swung into operation at both the South Tyrone Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital. The spokesman said a total of seven military helicopters were used.
They helicopters ferried the injured from South Tyrone Hospital to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen, and from Musgrave Park to the Royal in a series of runs. A spokesperson for the Erne Hosptial said 63 victims were brought there, where they were treated for a variety of conditions, including head injuries, burns, cuts and shock. The Enniskillen Hospital had called in staff on holiday leave to help them deal with the injured.
Musgrave Park Hospital was used as a transfer point for helicopters ferrying victims intended for the Royal Victoria Hospital, as it has a landing pad. A spokesman for the RVH said it dealt with 14 victims - 12 women and two men - two of whom were described as "critical" and are in intensive care, or "very seriously ill". Belfast City Hopspital was also on alert to deal with casualties.
Clinical nurse specialist Robert Sowney, of Dungannon hospital in South Tyrone, said 18 casualties had arrived there.
Speaking last night, Mr Sowney said: "We have 12 females and six males, whose ages range from four years old to 66. Three casualties are undergoing emergency surgery, and more victims are expected."
He said the casualties had serious multiple injuries, largely abdominal, chest and head injuries, caused by flying shrapnel and glass.
The hospital was preparing for more victims who had been trapped under rubble.
Speaking last night, the army spokesman said they had lost count of the number of victims involved in the operation.
A FLEET of military helicopters was involved in a massive operation yesterday, ferrying horrifically injured people to hospitals all over the province. An army spokesman said both army and RAF helicopters were involved in emergency airlifts, and they had been assisting the local medical services since the bomb blast ripped through Omagh. Major incident plans swung into operation at both the South Tyrone Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital. The spokesman said a total of seven military helicopters were used.
They helicopters ferried the injured from South Tyrone Hospital to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen, and from Musgrave Park to the Royal in a series of runs. A spokesperson for the Erne Hosptial said 63 victims were brought there, where they were treated for a variety of conditions, including head injuries, burns, cuts and shock. The Enniskillen Hospital had called in staff on holiday leave to help them deal with the injured.
Musgrave Park Hospital was used as a transfer point for helicopters ferrying victims intended for the Royal Victoria Hospital, as it has a landing pad. A spokesman for the RVH said it dealt with 14 victims - 12 women and two men - two of whom were described as "critical" and are in intensive care, or "very seriously ill". Belfast City Hopspital was also on alert to deal with casualties.
Clinical nurse specialist Robert Sowney, of Dungannon hospital in South Tyrone, said 18 casualties had arrived there.
Speaking last night, Mr Sowney said: "We have 12 females and six males, whose ages range from four years old to 66. Three casualties are undergoing emergency surgery, and more victims are expected."
He said the casualties had serious multiple injuries, largely abdominal, chest and head injuries, caused by flying shrapnel and glass.
The hospital was preparing for more victims who had been trapped under rubble.
Speaking last night, the army spokesman said they had lost count of the number of victims involved in the operation.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/006
Published Date: 16-Aug-98
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