Dog attack condition update: Three-year-old girl rushed to hospital by air ambulance

Reports have suggested the youngster who was injured is a girl who is three-years-old.

A spokesperson for NIAS said “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 14:11 on Sunday 26 April 2020 following reports of an animal attack Drumeen Drive, Garvagh.

“NIAS despatched one Emergency crew to the scene.

“The Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS crew on board were also tasked to the incident.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was transported by road to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Children, Belfast”.

Garvagh DUP councillor Adrian McQuillan said: “I know this family very well and giving them my full support. The latest I have heard is that she does not have any life threatening injuries.

“People have been leaving brand new toys on my doorstep to give to the little girl and her family. When the chips are down this community really rallies round.”

He understands a family dog was involved.

This was one of the first callouts for Northern Ireland’s Air Ambulance - after it was stood down so the clinical staff could train to help with a potential Covid-19 surge.

Specific training was undertaken to assist in the event of large numbers of critical care patients requiring treatment due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But now that the training has been completed, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) has resumed responding to incidents of serious trauma – from road traffic collisions to farm accidents.