Ardara man makes 'miracle' recovery after horror crash in Orlando

An Ardara man critically injured in America in late December has made a ‘miracle recovery’.

Daniel Gallagher was flown home on Wednesday and has been admitted to Letterkenny University Hospital.

Daniel from Meenakillew, Ardara, was involved in an accident on December 29 in Orlando, Florida, while on holiday with family.

Medics saved the life of the south-west Donegal native as locals in Ardara rallied around his family. Prayers were offered in the Church of the Holy Family while over €180,000 was raised in a GoFundMe drive.

Now, Daniel is back in Donegal as his recovery journey continues. Having been cleared for discharge from the Orlando Regional Medical Centre, where he had been under 24-hour care by a team of doctors, he was flown into City of Derry Airport by air ambulance.

His brother Paul made the journey with him and Daniel is now in LUH undergoing further treatment following numerous surgeries.

“We are so delighted to get him back on soil, as we never imagined this would be possible six weeks post his accident,” his sister Fiona said.

“We hope to get him transferred to the National Rehabilitation Centre for further treatment and rehab on his injuries.”

Fiona said the Gallagher family have been ‘blown away’ by the support and the prayers.

She said: “They definitely have made such a difference as Daniel is progressing every day and this is truly a miracle.  He still has a very long hard road to go and at the moment the hospital has recommended that we limit visitors to immediate family only. We have been blown away by the kindness and generosity of everyone and we have taken great strength from it all.”