Three investigations are underway following the death of an on duty paramedic in Co Cavan yesterday afternoon.
Father-of-six Simon Sexton (43) died when he fell from a moving ambulance while treating a patient being transferred from Cavan General Hospital to Dublin.
The vehicle was travelling on the N3 at Stradone, about six kilometres outside Cavan town, when at around 3.50pm the door opened and Mr Sexton fell out. He suffered severe head injuries.
A nurse and another paramedic, who was driving the ambulance, provided medical assistance and he was brought to Cavan General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Separate investigations by the gardaí, the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority are underway.
The HSE North East last night confirmed that a paramedic lost his life following what it called "a tragic accident".
“The HSE wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased and to his ambulance work colleagues.”
Siptu representative Paul Bell said all ambulance personnel were “absolutely traumatised” following the man’s death. “It is imperative that the cause of this accident is identified as quickly as possible. It appears to have been a freak accident in that for a member of the ambulance personnel to fall from a vehicle is quite staggering.”
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Cavan Garda station on 049-4368800