Long road ahead but family ‘hopeful’ about Omagh man’s recovery

POPULAR Omagh man, Chris ‘Sid’ Armstrong, has returned to Belfast to continue his treatment after sustaining a serious brain injury while on a break in Poland last month with his wife.

Almost £45,000 has now been raised via an online campaign to meet expected medical and travel expenses. Family members travelled to Poland to be with Sid and his wife Jill following the incident, which happened in the city of Krakow three weeks ago this Wednesday.

Sid was rushed to hospital with a life-threatening intracranial haemorrhage, but he has since shown some signs of improvement.

Jill has posted an online update on her husband’s condition. She has expressed the family’s thanks for all the ‘love and support’ that they have received.

“The most important thing is that the journey has begun,” she said.

“Sid is on his way back to neurologists in Belfast.”

Earlier, she said that doctors were happy with the results of a CT scan which showed that the bleed on Sid’s brain had not worsened.

“There is some brain damage, but he is aware of his surroundings and slightly understands what’s going on.

“It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but we’re staying strong and hopeful. The kindness, support, and generosity which we’ve received has truly been overwhelming.

“Every message, share and donation means the world to us.”

Mr Armstrong has worked in Sally’s of Omagh for 11 years and the entire team there have been hoping and praying that he makes a full recovery and his soon able to join them again at work.

The incident has shocked all those who knew him and the wider community of Omagh, and there is widespread relief that he is making some good progress and has returned to continue his treatment in Ireland.