A firefighter lost his young wife and newborn twins in a horrific triple tragedy that has rocked a Massachusetts community.
Patrick Sullivan, 31, and his pregnant wife Ciara, 30, rushed to hospital last week after she suffered a medical emergency in Rutland, about 12 miles northwest of Worcester.
Their twins – a boy and a girl – were prematurely delivered via C-section on September 16, leaving them and Ciara in critical condition and on life support.
Ciara and her 11-day-old twins died on Saturday, authorities announced the next day.
“James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed away quietly and peacefully with their loving mother, Ciara Joanne,” the Rutland Regional Emergency Center said.
“Words cannot express the utter devastation and unimaginable loss this tragedy has brought.
‘Please keep Pat in your thoughts and prayers at this incredibly difficult time – he needs all the strength and support we can give him.’
Sullivan also shared his own post on Facebook following the tragic deaths of his wife and twins.
Firefighter Patrick Sullivan, 31, lost his wife Ciera, 30, as well as their newborn twins. They were married in 2022
The twins, James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne, died eleven days after their birth, along with their young mother Ciara
Sullivan’s fire department colleagues lined up to support him as he returned home after the deaths of his wife and twins.
‘Tonight was terrible. James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed away quietly and peacefully with their mother Ciara Joanne,” Sullivan wrote.
“I cannot explain the utter devastation, anger, rage and loss this unnecessary tragedy has brought me.
“I plan to take the next few months to heal, if that’s even possible.”
Sullivan also thanked the loved ones, doctors and nurses who “made this nightmare a little more bearable.”
Sunday evening a GoFundMe as Sullivan had raised more than $130,000 of a $5,000 goal.
Meanwhile, dozens of people attended a vigil for the family on Rutland Town Common last week, where Ciara was described as “one of the kindest, most generous and loving people you will ever meet.”
In addition, Sullivan’s fire department colleagues lined up to support him when he returned home after the deaths of his wife and twins.
James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne died on Saturday after being born prematurely during an emergency caesarean section
Ciara, seen looking at her ultrasound scan, was described as ‘one of the kindest, most generous and loving people you will ever meet’
Sullivan served as emergency management supervisor for the city of Rutland for more than 13 years, the newspaper reported Boston sphere.
Ciara previously worked as a 911 dispatcher, but was working as an Emergency Management Specialist for FEMA at the time of her death.
The Rutland Fire Department said it plans to hold a 5K race in April in honor of the Sullivans.