Menu
17/01/2005
Girlfriend pays tribute to 'angel' doctor
The girlfriend of Belfast doctor Donal Deery has again paid tribute to his bravery as he saved her life after both fell hundreds of feet on a New Zealand mountainside.
Helen McClements, 25, is still being treated in Dunedin Hospital for the back and internal injuries she sustained during the fall, after the couple slipped in soft snow while descending a slope in New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Ms McClements said that she had learned of Donal's bravery as he attempted to save her from a fall in which he was fatally injured. She said that she had been "touched by an angel" as he tackled her to the ground in a bid to stop the slide down the slope. However, he lost his life as they plunged around 600 feet down the snow-covered mountainside.
Two companions spent around 45 minutes trying to resuscitate Dr Deery, 29, who was an experienced mountaineer. One of them later ran to an emergency hut to raise the alarm and a helicopter, which was scrambled to the scene and plucked Ms McClements from the mountainside.
Describing the experience as "very traumatic," Ms McClements said that she had received many visits and flowers from well-wishers.
Awaiting the results of further tests, it is expected that if the language teacher fron Bangor, Co Down has sufficiently recovered from her injuries she could be returning home within weeks.
New Zealand police have said that attempts to recover the remains of Dr Deery by helicopter have been thwarted by high winds in the area where his body is located.
(SP/MB)
Helen McClements, 25, is still being treated in Dunedin Hospital for the back and internal injuries she sustained during the fall, after the couple slipped in soft snow while descending a slope in New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Ms McClements said that she had learned of Donal's bravery as he attempted to save her from a fall in which he was fatally injured. She said that she had been "touched by an angel" as he tackled her to the ground in a bid to stop the slide down the slope. However, he lost his life as they plunged around 600 feet down the snow-covered mountainside.
Two companions spent around 45 minutes trying to resuscitate Dr Deery, 29, who was an experienced mountaineer. One of them later ran to an emergency hut to raise the alarm and a helicopter, which was scrambled to the scene and plucked Ms McClements from the mountainside.
Describing the experience as "very traumatic," Ms McClements said that she had received many visits and flowers from well-wishers.
Awaiting the results of further tests, it is expected that if the language teacher fron Bangor, Co Down has sufficiently recovered from her injuries she could be returning home within weeks.
New Zealand police have said that attempts to recover the remains of Dr Deery by helicopter have been thwarted by high winds in the area where his body is located.
(SP/MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 January 2005
Doctor's body recovered from New Zealand mountainside
The body of a Belfast doctor who fell to his death from a New Zealand mountainside has been recovered, it was confirmed today. Donal Deery, 29, died after falling 200 metres down a ravine as he was walking in the South Island's Southern Alps last week with his girlfriend, 25-year-old Helen McClements.
Doctor's body recovered from New Zealand mountainside
The body of a Belfast doctor who fell to his death from a New Zealand mountainside has been recovered, it was confirmed today. Donal Deery, 29, died after falling 200 metres down a ravine as he was walking in the South Island's Southern Alps last week with his girlfriend, 25-year-old Helen McClements.
08 December 2015
Fire At Co Down Property Being Treated As Suspicious
A fire at an unoccupied house in Portaferry, Co Down, is being treated as suspicious. The blaze, at a property in Ashmount Park, was reported just after 3am on Tuesday. It is believed police are continuing to establish a motive.
Fire At Co Down Property Being Treated As Suspicious
A fire at an unoccupied house in Portaferry, Co Down, is being treated as suspicious. The blaze, at a property in Ashmount Park, was reported just after 3am on Tuesday. It is believed police are continuing to establish a motive.
26 November 2003
English rugby triumph should be used as platform says lecturer
England’s triumph in the Rugby World Cup must provide the platform for innovative thinking on the development of the sport in the home nations, a University of Ulster sports lecturer and former All-Blacks mentor said today.
English rugby triumph should be used as platform says lecturer
England’s triumph in the Rugby World Cup must provide the platform for innovative thinking on the development of the sport in the home nations, a University of Ulster sports lecturer and former All-Blacks mentor said today.
13 January 2005
Belfast doctor plunges to death on New Zealand mountain
A Belfast doctor has died after a fall on a New Zealand mountainside, it was confirmed today. Experienced hillwalker and climber, Dr Donal Deery, 29, was descending from a peak on the South Island's Southern Alps when he plunged to his death, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said.
Belfast doctor plunges to death on New Zealand mountain
A Belfast doctor has died after a fall on a New Zealand mountainside, it was confirmed today. Experienced hillwalker and climber, Dr Donal Deery, 29, was descending from a peak on the South Island's Southern Alps when he plunged to his death, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said.
30 July 2004
Emigration lecture to highlight New Zealand links
Links between Ulster and New Zealand come under the spotlight this week as the University’s Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies hosts a lecture on the career of Limavady-born William Ferguson Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912-1925.
Emigration lecture to highlight New Zealand links
Links between Ulster and New Zealand come under the spotlight this week as the University’s Institute of Ulster-Scots Studies hosts a lecture on the career of Limavady-born William Ferguson Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912-1925.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
