A man who suffered a seizure in Belfast City Centre has spoken out to thank a number of strangers who came to his aid, including an off-duty medic and a homeless man, after he collapsed and was left dazed, confused and covered in blood.
Liam MacMathuna had spent the afternoon of March 5 catching up with a friend over coffee on Fountain Street. But as he made his way towards his bus stop on Bedford Street, something didn't feel right.
Sensing something was wrong, Liam took out his AirPods, hoping to ground himself. Moments later, his world spiralled into darkness.
"I have only recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and had been meeting a friend for coffee on Fountain Street. We parted ways, and I was making my way along Donegall Square West towards Bedford Street, where I get my bus home, when I started to feel a bit strange," he told Belfast Live.
"I had taken my AirPods out because I felt like something was going to happen and I remember putting my right arm up to try and hold myself up. Then the next thing I can remember is that I started to come around, but I was extremely confused, dazed, covered in blood and didn't know what had happened."
Liam had suffered a tonic-clonic seizure, a type of convulsion that causes unconsciousness and rapid jerking movements. Strangers immediately rushed to his side, but as efforts were made to call an ambulance, they were told that none were available.
"I came around and there was a crowd of people around me. They told me that I was out for about two minutes and that I had been foaming at the mouth."
In a remarkable stroke of luck, one of those who had stopped to help was an off-duty St John's Ambulance volunteer who swiftly took charge of the situation and made the decision to get Liam to the Royal Victoria Hospital in a taxi.
"There were three people who helped me that day, and I was lucky that one of them was a St John's Ambulance volunteer called Mark, who had been out socialising. When they couldn't get an ambulance, he took me to the Royal in a taxi. I did manage to get his number and have been in touch with him since to thank him," he added.
"I have since found out that the girl who helped also was called Sarah Louise but other than her name, I don't know who she is and haven't been able to thank her personally.
"The third person who helped me was actually a homeless man. I don't know his name, and I can't remember what he looks like."
Incredibly, even the taxi driver who transported them to the hospital showed extraordinary kindness. Despite Liam being visibly bloodied and disorientated, the driver allowed him into the car without hesitation, and someone unknown to Liam covered the fare.
"I am also surprised that the taxi man let me in his car as I was bleeding profusely. I don't know who paid for the taxi as I have checked my bank account and it hasn't come out of my account but I just want to thank those people who came to my assistance," he finished.
Liam hopes that by sharing his story, those who helped him that day might come forward so he can thank them in person.
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English (United States) ·