LATEST: Patient dies after ambulance bursts into flames outside Naas Hospital
A male patient has died after he was in an ambulance that burst into flames outside Naas General Hospital.
The man - believed to be in his 70s and from the local catchment area of the hospital - was pronounced dead at the scene.
He had been collected by the ambulance following a 999 call.
Two ambulance crew members sustained burns injuries. One was treated and later released from Naas Hospital while the other medic was taken to the Burns Unit of St James' Hospital in Dublin.
The Emergency Department in Naas Hospital has been evacuated and the hospital's emergency plan was activated.
The fire was extinguished by four units of Kildare Fire Service from Naas and Newbridge.
Garda Forensic officers were sent to the scene to examine the ambulance - which sources said was was only one year old.
Pic: Nathan Curtis
Patients had to be transferred to other hospitals in Dublin and elsewhere.
The public were advised to stay away from the hospital and anyone who needs A&E medical attention is being advised to go to their GP first or to go to other hospitals.
Fire damage to roof of ambulance
Eyewitness
An eyewitness Lisa told KildareNow: "The ambulance went up on fire very quickly and there were loud explosion sounds.
"There was a lot of people near the scene which was very dangerous and there were lots of people shouting to get back."
The scene outside the Hospital's main entrance
HSE statement
A HSE statement said: "The HSE can confirm that following a serious incident at Naas General Hospital, the Emergency Department has been temporarily closed.
"The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has implemented appropriate diversion protocols and patients are being taken to alternative hospitals.
"The NAS has informed both the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and An Garda Siochana and a full investigation is underway into the incident.
"The hospital has advised 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."
Naas Hospital said that apart from the A&E, all other services at the hospital remain open as normal.
A spokesperson said: "The decision to temporarily close the A&E department remains under review and a further update will be issued this evening."