RELATIVES of a teenager who sustained “life-changing injuries” in a balcony fall in Spain have appealed for help.
Niamh McGeoghegan (18), originally from Newry, was at a friend’s birthday party in Benalmadena when she fell from a third-floor
apartment.
She was taken to hospital in Malaga early on March 17. She remains in intensive care.
Her uncle Tony Curran told The Irish News her injuries include a severed spinal cord and fractured skull. On Monday doctors detected two bleeds on her brain.
Mr Curran described his niece as “a fighter”. He said medics told Niamh’s mother Claire and father Damien last week that she will be paralysed from the waist down.
To support the family he has established a fundraising webpage.
Niamh, a former pupil of Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry, moved to the Fuengirola area of Spain with her family around three years ago.
Mr Curran said the circumstances of the accident are unclear but Niamh was on the balcony in the early hours of St Patrick’s Day when she fell.
“She punctured both lungs, broke all her ribs, shattered her vertebrae, severed her spinal cord. She also broke her femur and suffered a fractured skull in three places,” he said.
“She regained consciousness last week but they had to sedate her again because she was very agitated.
“Now she has slipped back into a coma and doctors have just told the family today that she has two bleeds on her brain.”
Niamh’s parents, who are originally from Rostrevor and Bessbrook, and sister Aoife have been maintaining a bedside vigil as Niamh fights for her life.
“It’s so hard for them all,” Mr Curran said.
“They don’t know what the bleed to the brain will lead to now and it’s hard because of the language barrier to get answers.
“There’s an interpreter but she’s not there all the time.
“She suffered life-changing injuries. They have been told she will be paralysed from the waist down.”
Mr Curran, who has just returned from Spain where he was supporting the family, said he hopes funds raised will support Niamh in her rehabilitation.
“They live in a second floor apartment so there’s going to be so much for them to have to do,” he said.
“So far more than £3,000 has been raised of the £4,000 target.
“It’s still very early in her recovery. We don’t know what lies ahead. She is strong and a fighter but she needs so much help. The whole family does.”
To donate to the appeal visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tony-curran-5?utm_term=569Vg4KxN.
