Probe into death after car crush at dealership

A PROBE has been launched into the death of a man crushed while loading cars onto a truck.

Pat Byrne, 48, from Stradbally, Co Laois, was picking up vehicles from the Windsor car dealership in Ballybrit, Co Galway, when he got into difficulties.

It is believed the father of two girls became trapped between the door of one of two cars he was loading onto a transporter and the lorry’s ram sometime between 12.15pm and 1pm yesterday.

Mr Byrne was collecting damaged cars from the dealership’s repair department for his brother Martin Byrne’s car dismantling business in Killone, outside Stradbally, when the incident happened.

A customer who was waiting outside discovered Mr Byrne in a semi-conscious state.

It is understood he suffered chest injuries and was taken by ambulance to University College Hospital Galway.

Workers at the car dealership initially believed his injuries were not life-threatening and he was going to survive.

However, they learned yesterdaymorning that he died in hospital at around 3am.

There were no witnesses to the incident and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) was looking through CCTV footage to establish exactly what happened.

Michael Butler, manager of the Windsor car dealership on Monivea Road, said staff were shocked and upset by the accident.

“Our thoughts are with the family of this man at this time,” he said.

The HSA confirmed it was carrying out an investigation and said it could take some time to complete.

Joan Stapleton, who lives in Stradbally and knew Mr Byrne, said he was well-known and liked in the town.

“He was a lovely man, great fun and great craic,” she said.

“If anyone was ever in trouble he couldn’t do enough for you.”

Gardaí are also investigating the incident.