NI man who survived boiler explosion after being carried to safety by his son meets emergency crews there that night

Belfast Telegraph

14-05-2025

Mark Drysdale was seriously injured in an unforeseen tragedy on December 14, 2022, when a back boiler connected to the family's open fire exploded in their Carrickfergus home.
His wife, Deborah, recalled the night that her youngest son, was forced to rescue his father in the aftermath of the explosion.
'The sheer chaos that ensued seemed insurmountable, with the house exploding out before our oldest son's eyes with shrapnel and glass just missing him as he walked towards the house,' she said.
'Also inside the house, amidst the turmoil, our youngest son Joshua, then just 10 years old, displayed an extraordinary act of bravery and love.
"With strength beyond his years, he carried his father from the wreckage, setting the stage for what would become a testament to resilience and the power of human compassion.'
While Joshua's quick actions got Mark to safety, Deborah said it was the critical intervention by the Air Ambulance staff which ultimately saved Mark's life.
'It was like a bomb scene from a movie with smoke, lights and sirens everywhere, with all of the emergency services trying to help,' she continued.
"But it was the Air Ambulance Helicopter Emergency Medical Service team, whose swift and decisive actions literally saved Mark's life.
"On our very street, in amongst the chaos, they intubated him in the ambulance, stabilizing his condition before transporting him to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
'Their relentless dedication did not waver as they continued to work tirelessly on Mark, ensuring he was safely transferred to the ICU in an induced coma."
While it has been two years since that tragic night, Mark's recovery is still ongoing. His wife Deborah said that the 'emotional scars have been harder to mend'.
"The first year was particularly challenging, testing the limits of Mark's mental health," she explained.
"In these trying times we have been blessed with the support of Dr Keith Kerrigan, from the Clinical Health Psychology at the Belfast Trust.
"Dr Kerrigan's compassionate guidance has been nothing short of a godsend, helping us navigate the tumultuous waters of his emotional recovery.'
In a bid to give back to those who helped save his life, Mark has thrown his support behind the Air Ambulance.
In 2023, he joined pupils from Carrickfergus Model Primary School for a sponsored walk, and earlier this year he completed the charity's Step Up Challenge – walking 10,000 steps each day in January.
He now hopes to take on the Air Ambulance marathon walk alongside his brother in the near future.
Deborah said: 'These activities although physically challenging have motivated Mark and our family to focus on the positive and try to keep moving forward and raise as much money and awareness for those who might need lifesaving help in the future.'
And since the explosion Mark has reunited with the emergency crews who were at the scene that night.
In the run up to Christmas he and his family visited the Air Ambulance base to personally thank the medics who saved his life.
'Mark's story is one of resilience, courage, and the determination to keep going,' Deborah said.
'Through each step, each encounter, and each expression of thanks, we try to move our family closer to a place of peace. We are forever indebted to everyone who has helped us through this traumatic journey.'