A Massachusetts mom and her two newborn twins died after emergency medical treatment, according to firefighters.
The Rutland Fire Department announced the deaths of firefighter Patrick Sullivan’s wife of 30 years, Ciara, and their 11-day-old twins, James and Elizabeth, in a Facebook post shared Saturday, Dec. 28.
Ciara was still pregnant on Dec. 16 when she experienced a “serious medical emergency that required immediate and significant medical intervention,” according to a description of an online fundraiser started for the Sullivan family.
Mom dies after saving 12-year-old son’s life in house fire: ‘Great person all around’
Twins James and Elizabeth were placed on ventilators after being born prematurely by emergency C-section, the Shrewsbury Police Department said.
The trio were on medical equipment before “they all tragically passed away in hospital,” police added.
Before her death, Ciara worked as an emergency response specialist for FEMA and “previously worked as a 911 dispatcher,” according to a statement from the Rutland Fire Department.
Fire officials described Ciara as a “dedicated public servant.”
“The Sullivan family wishes to express their deepest, most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and generosity at this difficult time,” the department said.
Wise mom dies of COVID days after giving birth to 4th child via emergency caesarean section: ‘Intestinal Rupture’
Patrick paid tribute to his late wife in a heartfelt Facebook post on Sunday, December 29, describing Ciara as “the hardest working” and “most compassionate person I’ve ever met”.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I can’t express how proud I am of her and how badass she really is,” Patrick wrote, calling Ciara “the greatest, most loving, most compassionate person to ever walk this horrible planet.”
Cause of death of 8-year-old girl who died after mid-flight medical emergency revealed
He later added, “The ‘labels’ that matter to me are mother, wife, best friend, partner. Those are the things that matter.”
More than $136,000 has been raised through online fundraising to support the Sullivan family.
“Ciara, thank you for your dedicated service at Shrewsbury Police Station,” the police department said in a statement, adding: “We are so sorry that this tragedy happened to you and your family. Rest in peace Elizabeth and James.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education