Waukesha Christmas parade: Six children remain in critical condition and three sets of siblings among the injured
The youngest victim of the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy is just three years old, doctors say
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Six children are still in a critical condition and three sets of siblings are among the injured after the Waukesha Christmas parade attack, doctors say.
Five people died, including members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, and more than 40 suffered injuries after a red SUV plowed into the parade at 4.39pm local time on Sunday.
Children’s Wisconsin, a pediatric hospital in Milwaukee, received the first of 18 patients at 5.30pm, medical director Amy Drendel told a press conference on Monday.
“Injuries ranged from facial abrasions to broken bones, to serious head injuries. Six of these patients were sent to the operating room last night, and two additional patients are undergoing surgeries today,” Ms Drendel said.
The victims were aged from three to 16 years old and included three sets of siblings.
“This is unique and truly demonstrates the devastating effects of this on our community,” Michael Meyer, medical director of pediatric ICU at the hospital, said.
Mr Meyer said 10 children remained in intensive care at midday local time on Monday.
Six patients are critical, three serious, and one is in a fair condition in ICU. Eight other children remain in hospital in fair condition not in intensive care.
“We’re immensely appreciative and thankful for the response of our community,” Mr Meyer said.
“The medical response started on scene with bystanders, EMS, and then our community partners other healthcare organisations before the children arrived here”
Children’s Wisconsin chief medical officer Michael Gutzeit also praised the efforts of first responders including police, doctors, parents and other medical staff who worked to stabilise injured children before they were transferred to the hospital.
The hospital enacted an emergency plan after it was alerted to the tragedy, calling in surgeons, doctors and nurses to cope with the influx of patients.