Partner of injured Athlone firefighter 'overwhelmed' by public support

The partner of an Athlone firefighter who was seriously injured while on duty at a house fire in Mount Temple a fortnight ago said the family had been "completely overwhelmed" by the level of public support shown to them.

Patrick Berry, a father-of-three who lives with his partner Nicky Beaumont in Assumption Road, is facing a long and difficult road to recovery after a gable end wall collapsed him which he was battling a fire at the house of Nigel and Lisa Grennan in Carn Park, Mount Temple, on October 14.

The impact of the wall collapse led to Patrick sustaining multiple broken bones, lacerations to his neck and tongue, and swelling on his brain.

He has since been receiving treatment in Tullamore Hospital, where he initially underwent one operation and was likely to require additional surgery.

A Go Fund Me appeal which was set up to help cover medical and home renovation costs arising from Patrick's injuries has raised over €38,000, from 910 donors, in just nine days.

Patrick's partner said the family were taken aback by the scale of the public response since the accident.

"We are completely overwhelmed by all of the help from people. I've no words that I can really say - we just can't believe it," said Nicky.

"People have been so generous, both people that we know and people we don't know. It's early days for us, but when we see that kind of support we are just blown away by it. It's amazing."

She told the Westmeath Independent last Friday that Patrick had undergone a scan to determine whether or not he would to have rods inserted in his spine, and was awaiting a response on that from Beaumont Hospital.

The injuries he sustained included 11 vertebrae fractures, a broken collarbone, broken scapula, several broken ribs, fractured tubular and fibula bones, and a broken ankle. Thankfully the personal protective equipment he was wearing prevented him from suffering any burn injuries.

"There were a few lacerations - he bit down on his tongue when the impact happened, so he has a big laceration on his tongue. That has been looked at by plastic surgeons but they don't think it's going to need any work," explained Nicky.

She said there was still a lot of uncertainty about what Patrick's journey to recovery would entail.

"I don't know if we know what's ahead of us, and the extent of how long it's going to take. But the thing that will stand to him is that he's so determined and strong.

"He's quite stubborn like that, and will give 100% to try and recover as quickly as possible, but we have to remind him that it's not a race.

"I'm sure I'll have to give out to him a few times for doing too much, but that's definitely better than giving up!" she said.

The Go Fund Me appeal, which was launched by Patrick's family and friends on Tuesday, October 19, said his home would need a number of modifications, including the addition of a downstairs bedroom and bathroom, in order to assist with his recovery.

"We, his friends and family, would like to take the financial burden away from Patrick, his partner Nicola, and their three beautiful children by raising much-needed funds to cover the financial costs of his medical bills, house renovations and any unsuspected bills arising from his recovery after this devastating accident," the appeal stated.

You can support the GoFundMe appeal here.