04/06/2026
On Wednesday 2nd July 2025, William McCartney from Coalisland, Co. Tyrone was travelling along the along the Ballynakilly Road to his work on his motorbike at Henderson’s Eurospar Cohannon when he was involved in a serious road traffic collision.
On receipt of the call in ambulance control despatched an Emergency Crew to the scene and also tasked the Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) to attend by air ambulance.
The NIAS crew provided initial clinical care to William and continued to assist the HEMS team on their arrival, when together they provided the highest levels of care as they treated his significant injuries which included serious leg and ankle injuries, broken ribs and a bleed on the brain. He was then transferred by Air Ambulance, under the care of the HEMS team, to RVH.
Recently, William and his family visited the operational base to learn more about the service and charity. They were also fortunate to meet Dr Karen from the HEMS team, one of the clinicians who treated him at the scene and accompanied him on the flight to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
William and his mum Hannah said, "All the healthcare professionals in William’s care have been fantastic throughout his journey to recovery. We would like to say a massive thank you to the road crew from NIAS who were first on scene and worked alongside HEMS, staff from the Royal Victoria Hospital ED and Major Trauma Unit, the plastic surgery team at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, the team at Musgrave Park Hospital for the exceptional care throughout and everyone at Air Ambulance NI.”
Ten months on from his accident, William is continuing to make steady improvement and is gaining strength and mobility - we wish him well on his recovery.
