  
NIAS transports 30 patients to hospital
after bus overturns
NIAS was alerted to a bus having toppled over on a main arterial route in Belfast City Centre on Sunday 14 August at approximately 2.15 in the afternoon.
A Rapid Response Paramedic was on the scene within 6 minutes and was able to provide a detailed report on the number of casualties, their conditions and resources that would be needed. In total NIAS deployed eight A&E vehicles, three Rapid Response Vehicles and three Intermediate Care Vehicles. Additional support was provided by six officers and one doctor.
After initial triage the patients with the more serious injuries, including the driver of the bus who had to be cut from the wreckage, were transported to the local Belfast hospitals, particularly the Royal Victoria Hospital and The Belfast City Hospital, for further assessment and treatment. Those who were classified as “walking wounded” and therefore able to be transported by Intermediate and Patient Care vehicles were taken, mostly to the Mater Hospital. One pregnant lady was taken to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald where she had been receiving her pre-natal care. The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children cared for two younger casualties.
It was as a result of the number of casualties that a Major Incident was declared and great credit must go to those who were first on the scene. Their initial actions, on arriving at a scene where pandemonium reigned, ensured that NIAS responded in the most appropriate and effective manner. As the emergency crews arrived and calm was restored the casualties were treated in the professional manner that they would expect from highly trained medical personnel, not only treating their physical but also their emotional trauma after, what must have been, a very frightening experience.
Thankfully, on this occasion, injuries sustained were not life threatening but all involved in the response to the incident came out with great credit. The speed of response and the working together has indicated that the 999 services are well equipped to deal with any such incident.
15 August 201 |
