A new mother and her two babies were taken off life support on Friday night after fighting for their lives in hospital for the past two weeks.
Ciara Sullivan of Rutland, the wife of Rutland firefighter Patrick Sullivan, and their nearly 2-week-old twins were taken off life support, according to the husband’s Facebook post.
“Tonight was horrible. James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed away peacefully and peacefully with their mother, Ciara Joanne,” Sullivan published Saturday morning. “I cannot explain the complete and utter devastation, anger, rage and loss that I feel this needless tragedy has brought me.”
Sullivan added that he felt “truly blessed” by the “overwhelming” amount of support he has received, including from the Rutland Fire Department.
“The head [Seth Knipe] of the department regrets to announce the sudden death of Firefighter Patrick Sullivan’s wife, Ciara, 30, along with their 11-day-old twins, James and Elizabeth,” the Rutland Fire Department said. published Saturday morning. “Ciara was a dedicated public servant, having previously worked as a 911 dispatcher and currently works as an emergency management specialist for FEMA.”
Sullivan was hospitalized Dec. 16 after suffering a “medical emergency,” he said Rutland Regional Emergency Communicationwho has been posting updates on her Facebook page about the Sullivan family for the past two weeks.
The Sullivans were “looking forward to the arrival of their twins and the joy of becoming first-time parents,” one of the posts said.
Sullivan was taken to the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where she was intubated, according to a fundraiser that raised money to support the family. Her twins were born prematurely by emergency C-section and were on ventilators.
Patrick Sullivan spoke with Boston News 25 from the hospital Thursday night, saying that after two weeks, the “prognosis is not good.”
Sullivan has served Rutland as a dispatch supervisor and firefighter/EMT for more than 13 years, according to a Rutland Regional Emergency Communication facebook post
A fundraiser, hosted by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Foundation, raised over $74,000 as of Saturday morning, far surpassing their initial goal of $5,000.
A photo of Rutland firefighter Patrick Sullivan and his wife, Ciara, are displayed on a table during a vigil held Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, at the Rutland Town Common in support of the family.Photo courtesy of the Rutland Regional Emergency Communication Center
People gathered in Rutland for a vigil at the town’s Commons on Thursday night to support Patrick and his family.
A few hours after the vigil Thursday night, the Rutland Fire Department updated the community via Facebook with devastating news.
“Our hearts are broken as we share the heartbreaking news that Ciara and the babies will be taken off life support on Friday,” the fire department wrote in the post. “Please keep Pat and the entire family in your prayers during this unimaginably difficult time… PAT, BUDDY, WE LOVE YOU AND ARE WITH YOU.”
People can Donate to the family’s fundraiser here.