HSE apology to family of late paramedic

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has officially apologised to the family of a Cavan paramedic who died after falling out of the side door of a moving ambulance almost seven-years-ago.

The apology was read out at the High Court this week under settlement of an action by Mr Sexton's widow, Catherine.

The 43-year-old father-of-six from Carricknashoke, Clifferna, Stradone, died in June 2010 after he fell out the side door of an ambulance transporting a patient from Cavan to Dublin.

Mr Sexton was a rear passenger in the ambulance when he discovered the door was not shut properly.

Mr Sexton was a rear passenger in the ambulance when he heard the wind coming into the vehicle indicating that the side door was not shut properly. When he placed his hand on the lever, the door opened outward and pulled him with it. He suffered serious head injuries and died a short time afterwards.

Since the 2010 incident all ambulances have been altered to include front facing hinges along with several other safety measures.

 

Apology

As part of the apology Micheál Ó Scanaill SC, for the HSE, read an extract from a letter sent by the executive to Mrs Sexton in March 2013.

“This was a tragic accident that should not have occurred. All employees of the HSE are entitled to expect a safe system of work, without risk to their life or health,” the letter said.

“The HSE fell below that duty of care in respect of your husband and for this I sincerely apologise,” it said.

Counsel said the HSE hopes no other family has to go through a similar incident.

Mrs Sexton sued the HSE over her husband’s death and for nervous shock following the accident which happened on the N3 Cavan to Dublin Road, about seven miles out of Cavan town.

She also claimed to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder since the accident.

The High Court previously heard from Mr Sexton’s colleague, PJ Cahill, who last year settled his action over the accident.

Mr Cahill had said how he was driving when he heard a loud thud and saw Mr Sexton hit the ground in his rear-view mirror. He outlined too how he had began resuscitation but Mr Sexton was pronounced dead some time after his arrival at Cavan General Hospital.

 

Breaches

In June 2013 the HSE was fined €500,000 for health and safety breaches which led to Mr Sexton's death. The safety breaches revolved around the presence of 'suicide doors' on the side of the ambulance. These are doors with hinges at the rear, meaning that they can get caught in the slipstream if opened while the ambulance is moving.

On Tuesday (yesterday) Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon extended her sympathy to Mrs Sexton and her family when approving a settlement, believed to include a six-figure sum of damages, against the HSE.