EireBilly: OP updated 08/06/2012.

Reposted from the pub:

Meaningful_Munster wrote:Hello.
My brother eirebilly posts here a lot and i just wanted to let you know that the helicopter taking him and his colleagues to a rig ditched this morning. He is in hospital in critical condintion.

Eirebilly is one of the nicest, most genuine, intelligent and respectful posters I've ever come across on any internet forum.

My thoughts are with him, his family and friends. Get well soon my friend .

Update:

Meaningful_Munster wrote:I am at the hospital now. Its not as bad as first thought. He has several broken bones, mainly his ribs arms and legs. He has a head like a bowl of mashed potatoe but i have been told that he was swearing like an old sailor which is a good sign. He will have several operations over the next few weeks but should make a full recovery.

What happened was that the helicopter he was in took off from Den Helder, got about 15 meters in the air before the rotor ceased and sent the helicopting spinning ditching back to the tarmac.

Latest good news from Gibbo 02 June 2012:

Gibson wrote:Just got a text from Billy's sis.

Billy woke up this morning and started cursing at the medics. He wants to get up and out.

They had to calm him down as he cant be getting too excited. His sis says he looks horrible (no change there ) but HE said he's grand.
The man from Sixmilebridge is on the way back.

He's unreal. He's probably asking to get ready for NZ and is giving them shoite over it. Not fully checked out yet but it sounds like he's going to cause them problems, so they are sedating him and limiting visitors so he can rest.

You know, in the midst of all this I forgot to ask about his workmates in the Chopper. I'll ask later.

Latest update from Billy's GF via Rava 03/06/12:

I just spoke to him on the phone. He is weak, but positive. Obviously in a lot of pain but insists that he is okey.

Great news, you just can't keep a good Munster man down

Edit 08th June :

Rava wrote:Latest message I have got off Toril, Billys GF: -

Hi

There are so many of you who wants updates on Alec so this is a message Im copying and sending to everybody.

He has been to another hospital today for a scan to check his brain. The doctors wanted to check how the swelling was and also look for any brain damage. He still has trouble speaking. The results are good, there is still some swelling but it keeps getting better. They cant find any signs of permanent damage. Alec is expected to make a full recovery, he just needs time.

According to his secretary he is happy with the results and I was told to feck off with my worry. He appears to be himself

Toril

There are occaisional updates posted from Meaningful_Munster, Toril (Billys Bro and GF) and also from Rava and Gibbo, who have been in contact with Billys family (Thank you all so much for these) .... if anything significant is posted I'll update the OP otherwise please just keep reading the thread for updates on Billys progress. Thanks.

Thinking of you Billy, get well soon mate and continued best wishes to Billy's family and friends. .

rodders wrote:Reposted from the pub:

Meaningful_Munster wrote:Hello.
My brother eirebilly posts here a lot and i just wanted to let you know that the helicopter taking him and his colleagues to a rig ditched this morning. Alec is in hospital in critical condintion.

Eirebilly is one of the nicest, most genuine, intelligent and respectful posters I've ever come across on any internet forum.

My thoughts are with him, his family and friends. Get well soon my friend .

+1

I'll get an admin to sticky it, t seems I can only sticky my own stuff.

Get well soon Billy.

Waiting for your returns to the boards, billy:

So sad, the chap was just about to head off to NZ to see Ireland play the ABs...

To Alec

Get yourself better asap billy. Hope to see you soon

Shocking news. All the best Billy, hope to see you back soon.

Billy my thoughts are with you mate , get well soon we need a good culchie on the boards

Thanks unioncane.

From the old 606, eire was one of the few people I actually knew that came from there to here. We've had some great discussions about snooker and he's a good guy all round. Get well soon mate.

Really sad news, get well soon eirebilly.

We have certainly had our issues throughout the years. But get well soon bud

Thoughts with you Billy, Hope to see you back soon.

I'm actually shocked.. please get well soon eirebilly, you are a great poster and a great friend on these boards. My prayers are with you and your family.

Get well soon Eirebilly. You are a fantastic, mature poster and add, in my opinion, a huge amount to this forum

Praying for you Billy. Need you back here soon.

Get well soon billy. Thoughts with you and your family

Very sad news. Does anyone know where and when this happened ?

Even from 10,000 miles away there are times you think "Gee hes a good bloke" and Ive always presumed that of Eirebilly. get well son, theres a couple of games of rugby coming up we need to talk about..

I always enjoy eirebilly's comments as they're always insightful, witty and fair-minded.

Get well soon eirebilly, I look forward to reading your posts again soon.

Jayzus

Get well soon mate, you are one of the good guys.

aucklandlaurie wrote: Even from 10,000 miles away there are times you think "Gee hes a good bloke" and Ive always presumed that of Eirebilly.

+ 1

Wow this is shocking news. I am hoping you get better soon Billy, always someone I listen to when he posts.

Top bloke, hope he get's better soon!

What the hell is happening recently! Too much bad news!

All the best Billy, hope you make a full recovery

Am sure your bro will have waiting for you

All the best EireBilly, get well soon.

get well soon billy really enjoy talking to you about cricket etc...

get well soon mate

Get well soon, Billy.

He's a top, top bloke. Always engages in good hearted discussion and certainly kow's a thing or two. Can't fault his passion and interest in the sports he loves.

Hang in there mate!

No real words.

A lot of people you haven't truly met are pulling for you. Everywhere around the world.
All the best.

Everyone rooting for you EB, keep strong and make a full and speedy recovery and that we see you back here asap.

That is terrible news. I couldnt see any news concerning a helicopter crash or ditching or any reports of injury..would anyone have a link?

Come on Billy, pull through mate. There's a virtual pint in it for you- we're all praying you're okay.

Best of luck mate.

Puts all our ramblings on here into perspective

All the best Billy. Hope you and your colleagues pull through...

Beaker wrote:I always enjoy eirebilly's comments as they're always insightful, witty and fair-minded.

Absolutely. Even if he disagrees with you, there'll never be any malice from Billy.

Whoever you pray to, pray for Billy. Then pray for him again.

Billys an OK dude

Get well soon Billy

Get well soon mate - prayers with you

Get better soon Billy!

A really good knowledgable poster. Wishing Billy a speedy recovery.

Thanks for all the nice words. I will read them to him when he wakes up.

very sad news - he definitely sounded like a genuinely nice guy with a very positive attitude.
get well soon!

+1 to all the above comments

I am glad to hear that the news is positive Meaningful_Munster.

Guys, read the OP, as Rodders update it.

Sounds like its not as bad as first feared, still a b*mmer for Billy but sounds like he'll make a full recovery. Best wishes Billy

Thanks to MM for the updates

Great news to hear he'll be alright, all the best in your recovery Billy!

Get well soon Billy

Get well soon buddy