Limerick chef fractures back saving dog from drowning

A LIMERICK chef has expressed his “deepest gratitude” for the support he has received after he fractured his back while saving his dog from drowning.

Tom Flavin from Ardagh was out with his dog Bruno when his beloved family pet entered a local river and came into difficulty in the water.

Bruno had been swimming in the water for 10 minutes or so, according to Tom, when the dog got into some trouble exiting the river.

Tom entered the river in order to save his beloved springer spaniel and, in doing so, fractured his L3-vertebra in his lower back.

“I had to crawl out of the river, my legs weren't working at all, the feeling in my legs came back after a while,” Tom told the Limerick Leader.

“When I first fell in, I didn't realise the power was gone in my legs, the river was up to my waist. I put my hand on the dog and pushed him to the side and he ran off,” he added. 

Tom said he wouldn’t be where he is today without the “outstanding care” at St John’s Hospital and University Hospital Limerick and it wasn’t all bad news as Bruno is now back to “loving life” due to Tom’s efforts.

“My family and friends, led by my amazing wife Mol, have been an unwavering source of care and assistance since the incident,” Tom said.

Tom, who runs a local business called Cook & Cleaver with partner Garrett Landers, said he can’t thank Garrett enough for taking over the business duties while he spent the previous 10 weeks in recovery.

The Ardagh man was bed-bound, barely able to leave the constraints of his couch for the last 10 weeks but that didn’t stop him from being able to continue his work with two local groups.

“My involvement with two volunteer groups - the Limerick Food Group and Rotary Club projects kept me engaged, even from the confines of recovery,” Tom said.

“The outpouring of love and support from friends, near and far, has been a testament to the incredible community spirit we have in West Limerick and Ireland as a whole.

“As I continue my journey to full recovery with physiotherapy, I am immensely grateful to everyone who played a role in keeping my spirits high.

“Go raibh míle maith agat to all…” Tom added.