Tributes have been pouring in for Jody Keenan, who died waiting for an ambulance.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has apologised and a review is underway after a 39-year-old woman passed away while waiting for an ambulance in Newry over the weekend.
As RTÉ reports, an ambulance was called after Jody Keenan collapsed in the early hours on Sunday morning. However, there were only three emergency crews in the area available instead of the usual 10. The number of crews were subsequently reduced to two after a worker became ill.
When the emergency call was made, both crews were at Craigavon Hospital handing patients over, so a crew from Belfast, which is 38 miles away, was sent to Ms Keenan instead. A second ambulance from Banbridge, which is 15 miles away was also sent.
Ms Keenan passed away despite attempts made to revive her.
In a statement, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said that they “apologise sincerely and offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the patient who passed away in Newry.”
The statement continued: “We recognise how difficult a time this will be for the family and we will be seeking to engage with them directly in the coming days.
“A 999 call was received at 03.15 on Sunday 10 April. Two ambulances were dispatched to this patient. The first was dispatched from Belfast and arrived on scene at 04:15.
“A second ambulance was dispatched from Banbridge, arriving on scene at 04:03.
“In addition, following our protocols for calls of this nature we contacted the PSNI who sent officers with a defibrillator who were first to arrive at 03:52.
“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, attempts to resuscitate the patient were unsuccessful.
“NIAS exists to help people when they need and when our help falls short, we all feel it very personally and deeply.
“However, we recognise that does not compare to the loss being felt by those closest to the patient.”
Jody’s family have since paid tribute to her.
Her cousin, Aoife Finnegan, who is a Sinn Féin councillor, described her as a “great girl all round”, and “one of the best”.
As ArmaghI reports, she said: “She did have a health condition but she faced very day with a smile and she was so strong. It’s just devastating for the family to have to deal with.”
Ms Finnegan added that Jody worked as a classroom assistant and she “treated everyone with such love and care and respect”.
