Mum ‘eternally grateful’ her sons survived Glenshee crash

ADundee mum has relived the horror of a happy family day out which ended with her two little boys fighting for their lives and her young cousin dead.

Sheree Birse, 31, said she never would have believed the nightmare that lay ahead after she waved her sons Carson, 9, and Calvin Kelly, 5, off for a day’s sledging with her cousins, Lee and Reece Tucker, on January 3.

The car in which the family were travelling was involved in an accident. Reece tragically died at the scene and both the children were seriously injured.

The boys, both now recovering, have still to be told about Reece’s death that day.

Sheree said she will always be eternally grateful to everyone who ensured they lived through the crash ordeal.

She said: “Our boys were super excited to be going out for the day with two of my cousins, Lee and Reece Tucker.

“They were taking the boys up to Glenshee sledging and I couldn’t say no as their faces just lit up when they were told they were getting a small day out.”

Sheree said that only four hours later she got a phone call with the terrible news.

She added: “The boys’ dad, Andy Kelly, and my dad raced up to the scene that had been blocked off by the fire brigade, police and ambulances .

“Andy and I then had a call explaining our boys had to be put into induced comas and were both fighting for their lives.”

Sheree said the boys were flown by helicopter to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

She said: “Andy and I drove to Glasgow from Dundee and still had to wait another 45 minutes for our boys to land.

“Eventually we met with two doctors who explained what was needing to be done to save them.

“Carson seemed to have been a lot worse off and had to receive major

surgery as soon as possible, to save his head from swelling any more.

“The whole thing was horrific – we didn’t know at that point if our boys were going to make it.

“Initially we believed that they only had a few bumps to the head and then we couldn’t believe what we were hearing.”

Sheree and Andy were allowed to see Carson and give him a kiss before he went into surgery.

Afterwards, the boys continued to sleep for a few days with her and their dad keeping a constant bedside vigil.

As the days wore on, the boys were slowly weaned off the machines helping them breathe.

Sheree said: “Eventually our boys woke up slowly. “We both felt so lucky.” She said that after two

weeks Calvin was allowed home to Dundee to stay with grandparents while she and Andy remained at Carson’s bedside.

Sheree added: “We stayed by Carson’s side as he was having a very difficult time.

“He needed us so much at that time and was to have another operation to his head two weeks later.

“He is our first-born and an amazing boy, generous and wouldn’t even say boo to a fly. He didn’t deserve any of this – none of them did.”

Six weeks after the accident, Carson was moved back home to Ninewells for the rest of his recovery and rehabilitation.

“We still pray for Carson’s full recovery every morning and night,” said Sheree.

The family have thanked all of the people who cared for the boys.

FAMILY: Carson with his cousin Reece, and with his mum Sheree and little brother Calvin.

Carson and Calvin with dad Andy Kelly.