A two-year old boy who fell from the sixth floor of a hotel in Limerick yesterday is being treated for multiple injuries in a Dublin hospital, writes David Raleigh.
The boy fell from a balcony at The Strand Hotel around 1pm yesterday.
The toddler was treated by a local doctor before been rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick.
He was transferred to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin hours later, it has emerged.
A spokesperson for the Dublin hospital confirmed that he remains in a critical condition this afternoon.
A hotel source confirmed the sixth floor was not booked for use, and it is unclear as to why or how the boy came to be there.
A hotel spokesperson said: “We are still trying to determine what exactly happened.”
“We can confirm there was an incident at the hotel, around lunchtime, when a little boy came off the sixth floor.”
“He is critically ill.”
“The hotel is liaising with the emergency services and the gardaí, and the investigation is continuing.”
“The hotel’s thoughts and prayers are with the child and his family.”
The boy is from Limerick city.
A local doctor who was nearby ran to the boy’s aid.
Well-known Limerick hair stylist Niall Colgan – who runs a hair salon underneath the Stand – described the incident as “very upsetting”.
“Fair play to my client who shot out of my chair to tend to the little man until the ambulance arrived,” Mr Colgan said.
“She is well known and respected doctor who may have been instrumental in those few minutes,” he added.
Mr Colgan also paid tribute to his staff, “for getting through this afternoon… although we are in deep shock.”
He added: “Prayers for the family xx.”
Hundreds of people have gone on social media offering prayers for the little boy and his family.
“Omg the poor little pet…thoughts are with him and the family. That is so scary,” said Laura O’Keefe.
Any Kelleher posted: “Oh my God…The poor baby and his family my thoughts are with them.”
“Please God save him,” said Jackie Purcell Duhig.
Gardaí are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Witnesses are asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061-212400.
