Garda inquiry into paramedic's death

A CO Cavan community was devastated yesterday as news of the death of a local paramedic and father of six children spread.

Simon Sexton died when he fell from a moving ambulance which was transferring a non-emergency patient from Cavan General Hospital to Dublin on Thursday afternoon.

The door of the ambulance opened during the journey and Mr Sexton (43) fell out on to the N3 road at Stradone, about 6km from Cavan town, as he attempted to close it. He was a member of the paramedic staff of Cavan Regional Hospital.

Gardaí, the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

An examination of the ambulance and the scene of the incident was completed on Thursday evening. The HSE North East extended its sympathy to the Sexton family and described his death as a “tragic accident”.

Mr Sexton, who lived in Stradone, is survived by his wife Catherine, children Edel, Owen, Eimear, Lucy, Peter and Jane, who are aged from four to 14. His funeral will take place in St Patrick’s Church, Carrickallen, at 1pm tomorrow.

Cllr Val Smith (FG) paid tribute to Mr Sexton and said he would be remembered as a “devoted family and community man”. It’s a seriously sad spot here at the moment,” Mr Smith said. “The community is dumbfounded and devastated over what happened to Simon.”

Mr Smith said Mr Sexton had lived locally all his life and was involved with Laragh GAA Club, where he trained underage teams. He was also a regular fixture in local variety shows. “He was the chief comedian around here and people young and old knew him as a great character . . . He was a fixture in the local community and helped to raise a lot of money for charity.”

Siptu, the union Mr Sexton belonged to, said his death had traumatised and distressed ambulance personnel across the country.

“Siptu’s National Ambulance Council . . . convey our deepest sympathies to the late Simon’s family and friends,” regional organiser Jim Mullery said.