'Unimaginable sorrow' over boy's death after arson attack

A six-year-old boy who died in hospital yesterday from injuries he suffered in an arson attack in Waterford city last month has been described as "a precious little boy".

The death of Elliot English occurred three weeks after an arson attack at his home in Birchwood claimed the lives of his parents Kim and Philip and his siblings Callum, 12, and nine-year-old Jayden.

Elliot and a 14-year-old girl were rescued by firefighters.

They were initially taken to University Hospital Waterford before being transferred to Children's Health Ireland in Crumlin, Dublin.

The teenage girl remains in CHI.

Elliot and his brother, Jayden, were both born with heart defects.

Elliot had undergone open heart surgery in CHI as a baby, while Jayden had a heart operation in CHI just a fortnight before his death.

The brothers regularly travelled in the BUMBLEance children's ambulance to the hospital for appointments and operations.

Áine Phelan, a Waterford-based paramedic who previously worked with BUMBLEance, said she was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Elliot.

"To think of Elliot joining Kim, Phillip, Callum and Jayden is an unimaginable sorrow for everyone who knew and loved them," she said, describing his death as "heartbreaking".

Ms Phelan said: "Elliot will always be baby Elliot to me.

"During my time with BUMBLEance, spending those journeys with them to and from Dublin and by their side in Crumlin was an honour.

"They all brought so much light, bravery and fun into the ambulance."

She said Elliot was "a precious little boy".

"It is hard to find any words that feel adequate right now," she said.

"My heart goes out to everyone grieving this immense loss," she added.

Elliot and Jayden both featured on BUMBLEance social media over the years.

In 2020, Elliot featured in a photo with Ms Phelan in an ambulance.

He was described as "king bee Elliot", who was on his way home for Christmas after open heart surgery at CHI the previous week.

Elliot was in the 2021 BUMBLEance calendar.

BUMBLEance called Elliot and Jayden their "two heart warriors", who shared the "same chromosome disorder" and "heart defect".

Kim English was mentioned in a Christmas 2020 social media post by BUMBLEance.

She said she had so much respect for the staff of the ambulance service.

Ms English added that she was hugely appreciative for all the times they had brought her and her children "safe and sound" to Dublin and back.

In a statement last month, BUMBLEance said the English family "touched the hearts of many" during their time travelling with them.

It said: "We will always cherish the memories we have and remember the times we shared on board.

"Our team are without words as we try to process this unimaginable loss."

The English family have called on members of the public to keep the 14-year-old girl in their prayers as she continues to be treated at CHI.

In a statement, they also asked for their "dignity and right to grieve" to be respected.

John James English, an older sibling of the deceased, posted on social media that Elliot was "in God's arms" and back with his parents Philip, Kim and brothers Callum and Jayden.

Mr and Ms English and their two children Callum and Jayden were laid to rest in Kilbarry cemetery in Waterford city last month following a requiem mass in the Sacred Heart Church in the Folly.

Funeral arrangements for Elliot will be finalised in the coming days.

Two people have appeared before Waterford District Court charged in connection with the arson attack.

Another four people were arrested in relation to the incident.

They were subsequently released without charge.

Files have been sent to the DPP.