Woman injured in collision in Waterford urges people to support critical emergency responders

A woman who was seriously injured having been struck by a car while queuing for coffee in County Waterford is appealing for people to donate to the charity organisation, CRITICAL.

Podcast host, Olivia Hunt, who is originally from Roscommon, suffered serious injuries while queuing for coffee in Dunmore East in June 2023. 

Dr Paul Campbell, who volunteers with CRITICAL, the emergency medical charity, during his spare time, was one of the first responders to arrive at the scene. 

The Dunmore East-based doctor assessed Olivia’s injuries, administered painkillers and stabilised her before she was brought to hospital.

Dr Campbell’s emergency response vehicle and equipment is provided by CRITICAL, a charity that has a growing network of more than 300 volunteer responders active across Ireland including doctors and consultants, equipped with vehicles and high-tech equipment; community first responder (CFR) groups; as well off-duty paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). 

They are dispatched by the National Ambulance Service and communicate closely with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) while on scene. The charity has just launched its new Christmas campaign to light up 1,308 lights, representing every call answered in 2024. 

Donors can sponsor a light from now until Christmas Day in support of the charity’s life-saving work and can also dedicate it in honour or remembrance of someone special.

Speaking about her own accident Olivia admitted being terrified at the time but praised Dr Campbell for his professionalism.

“When Paul arrived, he brought a sense of calm to what was a terrifying situation," she said.

"He was only a couple of hundred metres away when he got the call and took control straight away," she added, before outlining the extent of her injuries: "I was in shock and had suffered multiple fractures to my pelvis and lower back, but Paul brought his medical expertise, pain medication and incredible care. Paul, the paramedics and the fire crews were like my guardian angels that day."

"Accidents happen every single day of the week and who would you want to be there with your husband, wife or child if something happened?" asked Olivia.

"I want that person to have the same access to care that I had," she added.

Emphasising the fact that CRITICAL is a voluntary organisation she said it needs the support of people throughout the country to equip volunteers in more locations across Ireland. 

"How special would it feel to help someone in their most vulnerable moment?," she said.

"CRITICAL is doing that through their first responders and emergency medical responders," she added.

The charity's Chief Executive, David Tighe, said: “We are very grateful to Olivia for deciding to tell her story. She is just one example of the thousands of people our volunteers have responded to in recent years."

"Our network of highly-skilled volunteers is growing across Ireland and that’s only possible thanks to fundraising and donations," he said.

"So far this year, we have responded to more than 1,600 calls which is an annual increase of almost 25 per cent," he added.

"Our Christmas campaign is called ‘Every Light a Life’ and it's about celebrating our volunteers and the amazing work that they do day in, day out, 365 days a year, right across the island of Ireland."

Mr Tighe said that one of the main reasons the members volunteer is because they want to make a difference within their communities. 

"It doesn't matter whether they are doctors like Paul or community first responders who train to respond to cardiac arrests and strokes; they all have a huge impact," he said.

Recalling the accident involving Olivia, Dr Campbell said: "When I arrived on the scene that day, my priority was to get Olivia the care she needed as quickly and as safely as possible. I volunteer with CRITICAL because I’ve seen first-hand how vital this service is for people in our communities."

"The equipment and the vehicle I rely on are all made possible through donations," he said.

"It is great to see how well Olivia is doing after her accident and would like to wish her the best for ongoing recovery," he added.

Dr Campbell also expressed gratitude to Olivia and her husband Eugene for their support of the charity. 

"The money they have raised will help the charity’s volunteers continue to provide urgent care in the community at a time of need," he said.

For more information, or to donate to CRITICAL’s, 'Every Light A Life' campaign visit https://criticalcharity.ie/