Heroic efforts of paramedics to rescue elderly man may have been hindered by seatbelt he was wearing

As investigations continue into the cause of the explosion in the ambulance at Naas Hospital on Thursday afternoon, it is being reported that the two brave paramedics who were injured in the inferno may have been hampered in their rescue efforts due to a seatbelt.

Christopher Byrne, the 78-year-old man who passed away during the fire, was buckled in to the seat he was sitting in, which is a safety procedure during the transportation of patients. The Irish Independent report that it may have been an issue in the two paramedic's ability to remove Mr Byrne from the fire.

Investigations have been launched into the incident, and it is believed that an oxygen tank on board may have exploded, resulting in the fire. It is reported that officials will examine whether or not the incorrect gas may have been put into the tanks, while they have also opened an inquiry into whether or not a bulb in the back of the ambulance may have blown, which could have ignited the fire.

The two paramedics that were injured in the accident have been released from hospital following treatment. They have been named as Stephen Lloyd and David Finnegan. Mr Finnegan was treated in St James' Hospital for severe burns, but was released yesterday, while Mr Lloyd spent only a short while getting treatment in Naas Hospital on Thursday.