Elderly patient dies after ambulance collides with car

AN ambulance on its way to hospital with an elderly man on board was involved in a collision, which caused injury to the patient who subsequently died.

The ambulance had responded to an emergency call and was transporting the man, in his 70s, to a Dublin city hospital when the accident occurred.

A car collided with the ambulance, side-on, injuring the patient and one of the ambulance personnel who was a passenger.

They were taken to St Colmcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown, where the pensioner was pronounced dead.

It is not known if the man died as a result of the condition for which he was being treated or as a result of the injuries sustained in the road traffic accident.

The ambulance staff member and the female driver of the car were treated for minor injuries.

The driver of the ambulance was not injured.

The accident occurred at approximately 12.50pm yesterday at the junction of Johnstown Road on the N11 in Cabinteely.

The scene was technically examined and the road has since reopened.

Gardaí at Dun Laoghaire are appealing for witnesses to the incident. And anyone with information is asked to contact either Dun Laoghaire Garda Station at 01 6665000, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666111.

Last month, a paramedic died after falling from an ambulance.

Simon Sexton, 43, from Stradone in Co Cavan, is thought to have fallen while trying to shut a side door of the ambulance on the main Cavan to Dublin road.

Gardaí, the Health Service Executive and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the tragedy.

The father of six young children, who sustained serious head injuries, died at the scene despite desperate efforts to save him.