The HSE has confirmed that the Hospital Group is expected to make a statement this afternoon following an incident at the Accident & Emergency Department at Naas General Hospital, in which a patient died and two ambulance paramedics were injured when the ambulance they were in caught fire outside the A&E unit at Naas.
The tragic events occurred at around 2pm as a patient, believed to be a man in his 70’s was being brought into the hospital by ambulance. On arrival, witnesses said the ambulance simply went on fire.
Two paramedics were injured, one of whom is being treated in Intensive Care.
The hospital activated its internal emergency plan and the Emergency Department and adjoining area of the building was evacuated.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has implemented ‘appropriate diversion protocols’ which means patients are being taken to alternative hospitals. Both the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and An Garda Siochana have been informed and a full investigation is underway into the incident.
The hospital has asked any member of the public seeking access to medical care to visit their GP in the first instance and if necessary to access another Emergency Department in an alternative hospital.
The hospital has also requested that members of the public refrain from visiting at this time
Up to four units of Kildare Fire Service attended the scene along with a number of gardaí.
