Broadcaster and author Gareth O’Callaghan has given an update on his health for the first time since he was involved in a serious car crash almost two weeks ago.
The popular Classic Hits FM broadcaster, his wife Paula and her daughter Emma, were involved in a car crash on Horgan’s Quay in Cork 12 days ago. The father-of-three has been recovering at Cork University Hospital (CUH) since the collision.
Doctors have told the former RTE star he has a broken back, a ruptured lung and some other injuries.
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Early this morning he posted a photo of himself in hospital and of the destruction to their SUV. The father-of-three was allowed to get out of his hospital bed for the first time.
He said: “Paula sent me these pictures this evening. She was allowed access to our car this afternoon to collect any private belongings she could find in the wreckage.
"When I look at these photos, I am reminded that we were truly blessed to survive this awful crash. I will be forever grateful to all those first responders who helped us last Sunday week.
“Day 12, and I managed to sit out on a chair beside the bed for a few minutes today, thanks to the steel brace the physiotherapy team fitted me with.
“For the first 10 days I had to lie perfectly still, flat on my back. It feels like I'm at the start of a long journey.”
His wife Paula O’Callaghan also thanked the public for their outpouring of support.
She added: “Thank you all so much for the outpouring of love and support for Gareth, my daughter and I. The crash was horrific but we’re getting there. Gareth has a long road ahead but we’re in it together.”
In 2018, the legendary broadcaster had announced his retirement from broadcasting following his diagnosis with the neurodegenerative illness, Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), which has no cure. His return to the radio came after a five-year gap and presents a show every weekend.
He took to social media to let the public know about the crash on St Patrick’s Day - five days after the accident.
"Thankfully Paula and Emma who managed to get free from the wreckage are recovering at home from bad bruising and shock. We were in heavy, slow-moving traffic on Horgan's Quay at 2.45pm when a car smashed directly into the back of ours, destroying it in seconds.”
He continued: “Following scans and further tests in CUH on Sunday night, I was told by the surgeons that I have a broken back, a ruptured lung, and some other injuries.
"We are deeply grateful to teams from Cork City Fire Brigade, the National Ambulance Service and the Gardaí for taking great care of us. Also our thanks to those who left their own cars in order to help us ahead of the arrival of the emergency services,” he added.
"Unfortunately, I'll have to take a break from my radio show until I know what comes next. I have been told my injuries are very serious. My special thanks to the medical teams here at CUH who have been amazing as we try to start to find a way through this awful experience. I'll keep you posted in the coming days."
O’Callaghan had only just recovered from two surgeries on one of his hands after he was involved in a freak accident involving a bin last December.
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