Second paramedic injured in Naas Hospital ambulance tragedy released from hospital today

A paramedic who suffered injuries during an ambulance fire at Naas Hospital yesterday afternoon has been released from hospital today.

The man suffered severe burns to his head, face, torso and arms following an explosion in the HSE ambulance outside the Emergency Department, and he was subsequently taken to the burns unit at St James' Hospital yesterday.

A 78-year-old man, named locally as Christopher Byrne from Suncroft, died following the explosion, while another paramedic also suffered injuries trying to save the patient. The second paramedic suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital yesterday afternoon.

A HSE review began last night following tragic accident, and it has been suggested that the fire began when an oxygen tank on board the vehicle exploded.

The Director of the National Ambulance Service, Damien McCallion, said that three investigations are underway already, and all ambulance staff have been instructed in how to check oxygen tanks in their vehicles.