Freak accidents claim the lives of two

Two families in Stradone and Clones have been plunged into grief following freak accidents, one in which a 43-year-old paramedic and father-of-six died after falling from a moving ambulance, and another in which a 61-year-old grandmother was accidentally knocked down in her driveway. Following a tragic accident in Stradone last Thursday in which Simon Sexton (right) fell from a moving ambulance that was on its way from Cavan General Hospital to Dublin, his funeral on Sunday garnered a crowd of thousands of mourners in what was described as the biggest funeral ever seen in Laragh. Simon and his wife, Catherine, have six children, Edel, Eoin, Emer, Lucy, Peter and Jane, who are aged between four and 14 years old. The freak accident, which is being investigated by the Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and reviewed by the HSE, has spurned outcry about the security of ambulance doors, with comment about a non-fatal accident involving a paramedic falling from an ambulance in Co. Kerry in 2007. Simon's family, however, have declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding their devastating loss. Catherine, who spoke movingly at her late husband's funeral mass, said she will be taking encouragement during this difficult time from Simon's philosophy that "life is for living and the future is unknown; if you remember to smile you'll never go alone". Various tributes to Simon referred to his cheerful disposition, as well as his community work, helpful approach and his dedication as a family man. "Simon was a great community man, involved in many organisations in the parish. He was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it and always went about with a smile," said Patsy Smith, who produces the annual Laragh Variety Show in which Simon performed for the past 24 years. "He'll be sorely missed in the parish, but nowhere will he be more missed than in his home," said Patsy. "The sense of loss in the parish is unimaginable. Nobody has fully taken it in yet. He's gone, in other words." Minister Brendan Smith expressed his shock and sadness at the death of Simon, who had been chairman of the Fianna Fáil cumann in Clifferna, describing him as "a very committed worker for many causes in his local community" including the campaign for a new school for Laragh. "The huge crowds that attended Simon's funeral mass and burial on Sunday afternoon clearly showed the great affection that he was held in by people both locally and further afield. Our thoughts and prayers are with Catherine and all the family," said Minister Smith. The HSE also extended deepest sympathies to Simon's family and colleagues. They confirmed that "the patient compartment side door of the ambulance vehicles has had its operating handle temporarily covered by tape on the inside and a notice has been placed on the door informing staff that the door is to be used in an emergency and not to be used routinely". Simon is survived by his father and mother, Frank and Annie Sexton; his brothers, Bernard, Gerard and Eamon; sister Helen and nieces and nephews. Meanwhile, Mary (Bridie) Reilly (61), Clones, died following a tragic accident at around 4pm also on Thursday, in which her teenage grandson reversed into her in her driveway.