Three sisters and a young boy critically injured in a head-on collision on the M9 highway are facing a lengthy recovery period, according to friends and family. The crash, which occurred in the early hours of a recent Sunday morning, claimed the lives of five teenagers.
Niamh, Alma, and Ella Kinsella, along with Alma's seven-year-old son, Yemi, are receiving care at three Dublin hospitals: Tallaght University, St. Vincent's, and Children's Health Ireland. While their injuries are serious, those close to the family express hope for a full recovery, noting that none of the survivors are being treated at a neurospecialist hospital, indicating no apparent brain damage.
"They have a long, long recovery ahead of them," a friend told the Irish Mail on Sunday. "One of them has spinal injuries and there are a lot of broken bones and young Yemi broke a leg." Surgeries have been performed throughout the week, and Yemi reportedly requested his cast be painted red as he is a Manchester United supporter.
The condition of the survivors has improved from critical to seriously injured. "It has been touch and go," another friend stated, adding that the extent to which their injuries may be life-altering remains unknown.
Grace Kelly, who was traveling to Dublin airport, was among the first to arrive at the scene of the collision, preceding ambulances and emergency services. She recounted hearing the young boy screaming in the back seat. The two older sisters were unconscious, and the third woman was outside the vehicle upon her arrival. Kelly noted that she was unable to provide medical assistance as she is not a paramedic.
Approximately one thousand people gathered at St. Clare's church in Graiguecullen for a vigil on Friday evening to pray for the survivors. Attendees included the sisters' father, Pat, their uncle John, and their aunt Maura.