EireBilly: OP updated 08/06/2012.

First topic message reminder :

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. .

Mickado wrote:Gibbo, how tall are cloggies? In general like? I'd say 1.83m would be average enough over there would it? (6ft for those using old money)

On average, they are the tallest race on the Planet Mick. Ya 6 foot-odd shortorse!

Average height for men = 6 foot
Average height for wimmin = 5ft 7. Major averages. They have their shortarses too like.

I had to have me Cloggie-bought jeans turned-up by 6 of yer old inches, for years. Now they handle 5.10 shortharses like me.

I still feel that pain though, as the seamstress laffed at me. EVERY time ref!

They also have the biggest foot size in the world, and the women all suffer from Dutch Disease, its from sitting on bikes all day!!!

Gibson was there any coverage of the crash , didn't see anything on NOS or De Telegraaf sites...

Interesting http://suite101.com/article/why-are-the-dutch-so-tall-a55753

I focking LOVE this Cymro!

"Spreading the Wealth

The most convincing argument for why the Dutch have grown so tall so recently was put forward by J.W. Drukker, a professor of economic history at the University of Groningen. His studies revealed that the Dutch growth spurt of the mid-19th century coincided with the establishment of the first liberal democracy. Before this time, Holland had grown rich off its colonies but the wealth had stayed in the hands of the elite. After this time, the wealth began to trickle down to all levels of society, the average income went up and so did the height.

Since then, the gap between the rich and poor in Holland has remained relatively narrow, and the country now has some of the best pre- and postnatal care in the world. This is in direct contrast to America, for example, where the population, once more than 3 inches taller than the average Dutchman, has not increased in height for 25 years."




Im saying nowt on that one. Other than suffer ye fat shortharse baskets! Just moderated meself.

Hope you are getting better Billy! Still missing you bud.

I got a text from Billy's sis this eve.

Legs are in plaster now and set. Still groggy, has blackouts and talking is hard.

A while to go yet before we can relax. I just want the same Billser back is all.

Gibson - I thought he was expected to make a full recovery?

I'm sure it's a long enough road back to full health Rory. Sounds like he's made a remarkable recovery so far but he's lucky to be alive man.

Stay strong Billy, get well soon Pal .

Latest message from Billy's GF: -

Hi Rav

Yes I did post. I might post another update if Alec wants me to, but that forum is his arena. I will let him have it for himself. And of course, I have no interest whatsoever in rugby

As soon as he is able to type and use a computer I will delete my account.

There is no real news, his legs have been set, he cant use his arms, swelling on the brain is better, but he still has the occasional blackout and trouble speaking. Apparently the pain isnt too bad, but Im not sure I believe him.. He has multiple fractures in both arms, both legs and chest and has had two surgeries to repair the damage. He will need many months of rehabilitation to recover, but the doctors are optimistic that he will make a full recovery

If there is any news I will let you know.

Toril

Thanks for the feedback rava, tell Alec's GF to tell billy we all miss him and hope he recovers fully and speedily.

Cheers Rava, can you and Gibbo send our love and best wishes

I've only just logged on here after my holiday and I am shocked at what happened to Billy but glad to hear he's on the mend. I do hope everything turns out well for him, he has always struck me as one of life's nicer people ever since I first chatted to him during match feeds on Justin.tv.

Biltong, Penfro et al.

Consider it done guys.

biltongbek wrote:Thanks for the feedback rava, tell Alec's GF to tell billy we all miss him and hope he recovers fully and speedily.

+ 10 million

Thanks for the update Rava and Toril.
Just can't get over those injuries. Poor Billy... get well mate. Thinking of you and your family.

Just find it really weird that there are no reports of a helicopter crash.....none of the Dutch media has carried anything.

DOD wrote:Just find it really weird that there are no reports of a helicopter crash.....none of the Dutch media has carried anything.

Ja Decco, I was searching and wondering about that too man. It may be supressed by the company for legal purposes. Dunno. If I find something, I'll post it bud. All I know is, it went down in Den Helder on the tarmac.

I know Billy told me he is a Lead Engineer/Technician, building Wind Turbine Farms out in the North Sea. He works on projects all over the place. Has a fairly heavy job, lots of people under him.

BTW, His colleagues are in much the same state. No deaths, thank feic. All the connected families are giving each other comfort at the ziekenhuis.

Long road ahead but you cant keep a good man down .

Billy mate hope these messages in someway help , lots of people thinking about you and sending you our best wishes .

Need you back to help me with my posts , my average is going down and i cant have that

Lil just recieved a message from Toril about this article.

I have also not seen anything on the internet in regards to this nor has Lil, she only saw a local report on the TV on Friday and nothing else. All she can go by is what she saw with her own eyes and that was a very battered Alec and his colleagues.

I want to thank all the people on here for your lovely and warm messages.

Best of luck to Billy with his recovery. Considering what he's been through, I'm sure it will make him more determined to get through the tough recovery work ahead. I'm sure he'll have no end of support from his nearest and dearest to help him along the way too.

Thank you MM we are all still thinking of Billy and continue to wish him the very best in his ongoing recovery.

Billy is really missed on here and my thoughts are with all of you at this time .

That's terrible. Hope he's on the mend.

All the best Billy - glad you're ok.

Hope all is still going well with the recovery. Hope to see Billy back on the boards in time for Ireland to wrap up their whitewash of the all blacks!

All the best to all caught up in this - get well soon!

Stay Strong and be well soon EireBilly!

Thanks for the updates Toril (and others). We are all hoping Billy (Alec) pulls through this. Keep the faith.

So far so good I guess, glad to hear he's gradually improving. The boards wouldn't be the same without him.

Alec (if I may call you that, otherwise Billy ) if the Irish fight as hard as you do you'll be celebrating a historic win on Sunday

Billy, big game this weekend - really hope that you're able to catch it - no doubt you'll be moving hell and high water to do so. Keep mending, bud

Knowsit17 wrote:So far so good I guess, glad to hear he's gradually improving. The boards wouldn't be the same without him.

Alec (if I may call you that, otherwise Billy ) if the Irish fight as hard as you do you'll be celebrating a historic win on Sunday

It's all well and good beating Croatia in the Euros, but I think beating the All Blacks is more important

Will be thinking about you tomorrow Billy, really hope you are well enough to watch the game somehow... ....

P.S. If Dan Tuohy has a big game you're getting a slaggin when you return sir.... .... Miss you pal!

Thomond wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:So far so good I guess, glad to hear he's gradually improving. The boards wouldn't be the same without him.

Alec (if I may call you that, otherwise Billy ) if the Irish fight as hard as you do you'll be celebrating a historic win on Sunday

It's all well and good beating Croatia in the Euros, but I think beating the All Blacks is more important

Beating the All Blacks? Isin't that racist now Ted?

I just saw this post and welled up - It sounds like your gonna be ok Billy, thank feck for that and for the OP letting us know - If there's anything I can do to help please let me know. You are a great guy as all these posts atest to so just do what you have to do and get well. If you want us to stop the games on the weekend until you're feeling better I'm sure me and Gibson can sort that out for you. Take care my friend and keep us informed of how you are doing

Gibson wrote:

Thomond wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:So far so good I guess, glad to hear he's gradually improving. The boards wouldn't be the same without him.

Alec (if I may call you that, otherwise Billy ) if the Irish fight as hard as you do you'll be celebrating a historic win on Sunday

It's all well and good beating Croatia in the Euros, but I think beating the All Blacks is more important

Beating the All Blacks? Isin't that racist now Ted?

"It isn't the Kiwis it's the Chinese he's after" Nearly as bad as that lot from Clare they are......

Good afternoon Sir billy , hope your feeling better .......keep your chin up mate

Hope you're comfortable Billy and feeling better... thinking of you mate.
We are missing you on these boards.

Good luck with the recovery mate, love to see you bcd on here

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

chuckle. That's good to hear. Still a way to go, but having a friend who also suffered a bad smash a few years ago that seems to me the best the news could possibly be at this point.

Cheers Rava send him my regards please - Ruby the Shrink

Encouraging news which is great to hear. Just for God's sake don't schedule any doctor's visits for tomorrow. The docs might misinterpret his foam-mouthed hurled invective at another Irish defeat as signs that it's all going pear shaped.

Rest up Billy and take comfort that consistency is the true mark of a champion even if it means consistently losing.

Not on this site as much as others but when I do his posts are some of the ones i look out for always fair and insightful - get well soon billy!

I hope he didn't watch the game!

Great to hear the latest encouraging updates ...

Come on Billy get well soon... It seems the Irish team needs you back in support quickly !

And many thanks to Rava for keeping us posted.

Just thought I'd call by before going into the main wards of 606, Last night I went to Eden park, Yes your team did have a hard night at the office, however I was thinking, had Ireland been playing lots of other higher ranked teams last night in the World they could have won, The All Blacks just put them in a terrible place, and not a lot of other teams could have done that to them in that way. but well fought Ireland, lets see an improvement next week in Christchurch, and Billy hurry up and get better.

Kia Kaha from Auckland.

Geez only just seen this one rodders. Very taken aback with this one as i noticed i hadnt seen billys comments this week.

Post with billy on the snooker site as well and one of the genuinely nice posters in our little community.

Get well billy, we all need your wisdom and humour back on these boards.

Yeah Taylorman it was a bit of a shock, thankfully the latest news (in the op) is positive. Hopefully most people know now.

Billy

Feic, the man's on the recovery.

Christ, only just seen this. I assumed his absence from the boards was because he was on the lash in NZ.
Get well soon eirebilly, chopper crash survivor

Here's to you billy , hope everything is still getting better

Sorry Billy, no alcohol from me for the moment