Fury at ambulance fire tragedy report

Coroner is critical of HSA Man, 79, died in blazing vehicle

- BY SEAN MCCARTHAIGH

A CORONER has sharply criticised the Health and Safety Authority's response to the inquest of a man who died when an ambulance burst into flames almost a decade ago.

Dad-of-five Christopher Byrne, 79, was killed when the vehicle caught fire shortly after it arrived outside the emergency department at Naas General Hospital on September 22, 2016.

Two paramedics who tried to assist the patient were also injured.

The inquest was originally opened and adjourned in March 2017 to allow for a file on the case to be forwarded to the DPP.

Yesterday, Kildare County Coroner, Loretta Nolan, told the hearing the HSA had produced “a very small report after a long investigation” and said she had to invoke her powers under the Coroners Act to get additional information.