NI mum’s huge challenge in memory of son, 6, who died after crash

“I was able to read to him, hold his hand, and be his mum one last time. It was the most painful yet precious night of my life”

A NI mum is embarking on a high-altitude trek to Machu Picchu in memory of her son who died just aged 6.

Bellaghy woman Oonagh McKenna’s son Ethan McCourt passed away in 2022 after a serious road traffic collision. He was rushed to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where he was cared for in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Sharing Ethan’s story, the Co Derry mum said: “On what began as an ordinary Monday morning in June, my son Ethan was on his way to his grandparent’s house, where he would then be brought to school, we never imagined that our lives would soon be turned upside down.

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“On the journey down from his dad’s house, he was in a serious road traffic collision. My parents were getting worried when Ethan had not arrived within half an hour of the usual time, my dad phoned me and we agreed that it was time to start looking for him.

“When my dad arrived at the collision site, the police were able to confirm that Ethan had been involved and that he had been seriously injured. The Air Ambulance was in attendance alongside other Emergency services. We rushed to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, where Ethan was being transported.”

In the days that followed, Oonagh said she witnessed “extraordinary care” within the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Oonagh said that Ethan’s diagnosis became clearer through the days, and that CT and MRI scans revealed “severe, irreversible damage”.

She told: “I was told he could no longer see, hear, or feel. Processing this news was like being caught in a nightmare I couldn’t escape from, yet the medical team stood by us every step of the way.”

As Ethan’s condition worsened, Oonagh made the decision to donate his organs. She said: “The care team handled this process with such sensitivity and respect, guiding me through each decision. They found matches for Ethan’s organs and carefully prepared to make this extraordinary gift.

“The night before, they arranged for a bed for me to be brought into Ethan’s room, filling the space with light projectors, gentle music, books, and his favourite toys. They allowed me to spend his final hours doing the things he loved at bedtime.

“I was able to read to him, hold his hand, and be his mum one last time. It was the most painful yet precious night of my life, and I will always be grateful to them for giving me those moments.”

Oonagh added: “As Ethan was brought to surgery for organ donation, my family and I had a chance to say our goodbyes. I was overwhelmed when he returned in fresh pyjamas, surrounded by his teddies and a new teddy I didn’t recognise. A nurse explained that the surgical team had bought it for him, a final act of love and care.

“Their empathy, their willingness to see Ethan as a precious 6-year-old child, not just a patient, moved me beyond words.”

This September, Oonagh will be taking on the high altitude trek to Machu Picchu to raise funds for Little Heroes, with all donations going directly to the charity.

On her GoFundMe page, the brave mum explained: “Little Heroes provided support to my son Ethan and I following a sudden admission to the RBHSC in June 2022. Ethan did not survive but I am forever grateful to the care and compassion that was shown to Ethan, myself and my family during this time. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that Ethan got the best care and that we as a family got the most from our last days with Ethan.

“I am very proud of Ethan as he was able to pass on the gift of life.

“By supporting Little Heroes, you will be helping to purchase vital new equipment to diagnose and treat the hospital’s young patients, to provide facilities and services for families to fund research into children’s illnesses whilst championing our ‘Big Heroes’ – the dedicated paediatric healthcare professionals at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.”

You can donate to Oonagh’s JustGiving page here.

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