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  • Health Minister thanks staff for emergency response

    Date published: 7 October 2024

    Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has praised the response of emergency service crews and hospital staff following the major incident involving a bus in County Down today.

    Latest news

    The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared a Major Incident, based on the number of resources required to attend the incident, including the Air Ambulance and doctors on site. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended the scene near Carrowdore with a specialist rescue team and appliances. NIAS, NIFRS, PSNI and the Health and Social Care (HSC) system liaised closely in response.

    Minister Nesbitt said:
    “This has been a shocking incident and my thoughts this evening are with all of those affected and their families. I am receiving regular updates.

    “I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the emergency crews attending the scene and to the hospital staff caring for those who have been injured. NIAS, NIFRS, PSNI, Air Ambulance, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) and the wider HSC system have all played their part.

    “I know I am speaking for the entire community in expressing my gratitude for the fast and efficient way in which they responded, and for their expertise and professionalism. I am proud of everyone involved in responding to the major incident today.”

    Notes to editors:

    1. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk

    2. Follow us on X @healthdpt and linkedIn Department of Health NI | LinkedIn

    3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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