Firefighter hit by horrific triple tragedy after wife, 30, suffered complications while giving birth to twins
A firefighter lost his young wife and newborn twins in a horrific triple tragedy that has rocked a Massachusetts community.
Patrick Sullivan, 31, and his pregnant wife Ciara, 30, rushed to the hospital last week after she suffered a medical emergency in Rutland, about 12 miles northwest of Worcester.
Their twins - a boy and a girl - were delivered prematurely via emergency C-section on December 16, which left them and Ciara in critical condition and life support.
Ciara and her 11-day-old twins died on Saturday, authorities announced the following day.
'James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed away quietly and peacefully, alongside their loving mother, Ciara Joanne,' the Rutland Regional Emergency center said.
'Words cannot express the total devastation and unimaginable loss this tragedy has brought.
'Please keep Pat in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time — he needs all the strength and support we can give him.'
Sullivan also shared his own message on Facebook following the tragic deaths of his wife and twins.
Firefighter Patrick Sullivan, 31, lost his wife Ciera, 30, as well as their newborn twins. They had married in 2022
The twins, James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne, died 11 days after their birth, alongside their young mother Ciara
Sullivan's colleagues at the fire department lined up on the street to support him as he returned home following the deaths of his wife and twins
'Tonight has been horrible. James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed quietly and peacefully with their Mother Ciara Joanne,' Sullivan wrote.
'I can’t explain the total and utter devastation, anger, rage, and loss I feel that this unnecessary tragedy has brought me....
'I plan on taking the coming months to heal, if that’s even possible.'
Sullivan also thanked the loved ones, doctors and nurses who had made 'this nightmare a little more bearable.'
By Sunday night, a GoFundMe for Sullivan had raised more than $130,000 of a $5,000 goal.
Meanwhile dozens of people attended a vigil for the family on the Rutland Town Common last week, where Ciara was described as 'one of the kindest, most generous, and loving people you’ll ever meet.'
Moreover, Sullivan's colleagues at the fire department lined up on the street to support him as he returned home following the deaths of his wife and twins.
James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed away on Saturday after being born premature in an emergency C-section
Ciara, seen looking at her ultrasound, was described as 'one of the kindest, most generous, and loving people you’ll ever meet'
Sullivan was an emergency dispatch supervisor for the town of Rutland for more than 13 years, as reported by the Boston Globe.
Ciara previously worked as a 911 dispatcher but was working an Emergency Management Specialist for FEMA at the time of her death.
The Rutland Fire Department said it plans on holding a 5K race in April to honor the Sullivans.
