By Suzanne Pender
A SERIOUSLY-ill child stranded at home due to treacherous road conditions was safely brought to hospital at the weekend thanks to the goodwill and dedication of Carlow’s emergency services.
The child, living in the Old Leighlin area, took ill at home in the early hours of Sunday morning, but an ambulance that was called to the house dramatically got stuck on a hill leading to the child’s house due to severe icy conditions. It is understood the family’s home is located up a hill, known locally at Lacken Hill, and roadways in the area were severely affected by the weekend’s frost.
With the ambulance unable to reach the house, Carlow Fire Service was called in to assist, along with Carlow County Council maintenance staff. “Two paramedics walked up to the house and gave medical attention to the child at the house,” explained director of services Dan McInerney.
“Chief fire officer Ger Guerin was also notified and attend the scene himself, along with members from Bagenalstown Fire Service,” he added.
The fire service attended the scene with a fire engine and 4X4 jeep but the fire engine also got stuck on the icy road as it attempted to reach the house. The council’s gritting truck was also called to the scene to try to negotiate the roadway.
Eventually, thanks to the sheer determination of fire-fighters, ambulance crew and council workers, the jeep eventually managed to reach the child’s home from another direction and safety brought the youngster to another waiting ambulance on nearby on the M9. The child was then brought to St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny.
All involved have been praised for their Christmas spirit of goodwill and determination to ensure that help is always at hand. In fact, some at those involved remained at the scene until 7.30am, some six hours after the emergency call was first made.
“The most important thing is that the HSE does its best to respond to every call for assistance. In this case, the person did receive medical attention and was brought to hospital,” a HSE spokesperson said.