`If the shrapnel had gone through front of my neck, I would not be here today'

Two of those injured by the bomb spoke yesterday of their horrific experience and how they were blown across the street by the…

Two of those injured by the bomb spoke yesterday of their horrific experience and how they were blown across the street by the blast.

Mr Francis Coyle and Ms Sharon Haughey are still being treated for shrapnel wounds at Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh.

Mr Coyle (37), whose son, Stephen (9), is in intensive care in a Belfast hospital and whose wife, Linda, was also injured on Saturday, said: "The devil came to Omagh that day."

Three of the Coyle family were on a shopping trip when the bomb exploded. A 14-year-old daughter had stayed at home.

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"There was a big flash and then a massive thud," said Mr Coyle. "I knew right away that it was a bomb and that it was close. I was thrown spread-eagled up into the air. "I could feel things going past me and some hitting my arm. My eyes were open and when I came to hit the ground again, I could see buildings falling down. Everything was in slow motion."

Mr Coyle, who suffered shrapnel wounds to his right arm, saw his wife running towards him screaming. "She did not seem to see me. She was blind and had terror on her face."

The couple found Stephen face down on the road. "I turned him around and saw part of his shoulder blade was missing," said Mr Coyle. "Linda was screaming that he was dying, so I was trying to pacify her and see to Stephen."

Mr Coyle picked up Stephen and tried to carry him to safety but he had to put him down when he realised the extent of the injuries to his own arm and that his coat sleeve was covered with blood.

The three of them were among the first to arrive in the hospital's casualty department after they were driven there by minibus.

Mr Coyle said he stayed with Stephen for 10 hours as his son drifted in and out of consciousness before being transferred to Belfast suffering from shrapnel wounds to his stomach and spleen. "I talked to Stephen all that time and told him to be strong and always to fight."

The family is now looking forward to celebrating Stephen's 10th birthday in nine days' time as the boy continues to make a recovery.

Ms Haughey (25) suffered shrapnel wounds to her neck, legs, arms and back when the bomb exploded as she was on a shopping trip with her two sons, Darryl (5) and Matthew (2).

"I remember seeing a white light and then I was just blown on to the road. I actually thought I was dead. My jeans had been blown off so I thought I had lost my leg.

"I remember hearing Darryl saying, `Mummy, come back'. Every time I got up, I was just blown back."

She said the three of them managed to get to hospital on an Ulsterbus. "I remember arriving in casualty and my two sons being taken somewhere to calm down. Everyone was rushing over each other and trying to help each other. I was taken to a treatment room to have stitches. Never in my life have I seen anything like it."

Ms Haughey said two of her aunts and an uncle were also in Omagh and suffered shrapnel injuries. She has had one large lump of shrapnel removed from her neck and another smaller piece taken out of the back of her head.

"If the shrapnel had gone in through the front of my neck rather than at the back, I would not be here talking today."

She attacked the `Real IRA' for the atrocity and said its ceasefire had come too late. "I cannot see any peace being carried out but I would love it for my two sons who are growing up in this world.

"I am going to have to be strong for my children's sake. It will take time and I am going to need help and support from members of my family."