Wife, Newborn Twins of Rutland, MA, Firefighter Die after Medical Complications

A new mother and her two newborn babies were all taken off life support Friday night after fighting for their lives in the hospital the past two weeks.

Ciara Sullivan, of Rutland, the wife of Rutland firefighter Patrick Sullivan, and their almost-2-week-old twin babies were taken off life support, according to the husband’s Facebook post.

“Tonight has been horrible. James Michael and Elizabeth Joanne passed quietly and peacefully with their mother, Ciara Joanne,” Sullivan posted Saturday morning. “I can’t explain the total and utter devastation, anger, rage and loss I feel that this unnecessary tragedy has brought me.”

Sullivan added that he felt “truly blessed” by the amount of “outpouring” support he has received, including from the Rutland Fire Department.

“The chief [Seth Knipe] of the department regrets to announce the sudden passing of firefighter Patrick Sullivan’s wife, Ciara, age 30, along with their 11-day-old twins, James and Elizabeth,” the Rutland Fire Department posted Saturday morning. “Ciara was a dedicated public servant, having previously worked as a 911 dispatcher and currently serving as an emergency management specialist for FEMA.”

Sullivan was hospitalized on Dec. 16 after suffering a “medical emergency,” according to Rutland Regional Emergency Communication, which has posted updates on its Facebook page about the Sullivan family the past two weeks.

The Sullivans “were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their twins and the joy of becoming first-time parents,” one of the posts read.

Sullivan was taken to the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where she was intubated, according to a fundraiser collecting money to support the family. Her twins were delivered prematurely through an emergency C-section and were on ventilators.

Patrick Sullivan spoke with Boston 25 News from the hospital Thursday night, saying that after two weeks, the “prognosis is not good.”

Sullivan has served Rutland as a dispatch supervisor and firefighter/EMT for more than 13 years, according to a Rutland Regional Emergency Communication Facebook post.

A fundraiser, organized by the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Foundation, raised more than $74,000 as of Saturday morning, far surpassing its initial $5,000 goal.

People gathered in Rutland for a vigil at the town common Thursday night to support Patrick and his family.

A few hours after the vigil Thursday night, the Rutland Fire Department updated the community via Facebook with devastating news.

“Our hearts are shattered as we share the heartbreaking news that Ciara and babies will be taken off life support Friday,” the fire department wrote in the post. “Please keep Pat and the entire family in your prayers during this unimaginably difficult time ... PAT, BUDDY, WE LOVE YOU AND WE STAND WITH YOU.”

People can donate to the family’s fundraiser here.

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