Paramedic dies in fall from moving ambulance while treating patient

A PARAMEDIC working with the Health Service Executive in the north-east died as the result of injuries he sustained when he fell from an ambulance.

The 43-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at Cavan General Hospital, was treating a patient in an ambulance travelling on the N3 at Beaghy, Stradone, Co Cavan, at 3.50pm. The ambulance was transferring a patient, who was not an emergency case, from Cavan Hospital to Dublin when the accident happened.

Initial reports suggested the man sustained fatal injuries when he fell from the rear of the moving vehicle about four miles on the Dublin side of Cavan town. It was also reported the man was attempting to shut the back doors of the ambulance when he fell onto the roadway.

The scene of the accident was sealed off last night pending an investigation by Garda technical experts. The HSE confirmed the man’s death and extended its sympathy to his family.

An investigation has been launched by the HSE, gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The man’s name was not released, but it is understood he was from Cavan. Gardaí appealed for witnesses to contact Cavan Garda Station on 049 4368800.