Injured Order of Malta volunteer helps others crash victims

Anton McNulty

A MEMBER of the Westport Order of Malta who was injured following a road traffic accident in Westport rendered assistance to other victims of the accident who were more seriously injured than him.
The three car collision occurred outside the Maxol filling station (known locally as Ashlawn) on the Newport Road, Westport at approximately 8pm on Friday evening, August 21. It is understood that one of the cars drove into the back of another car causing the pile up outside the busy filling station.
The member of the Westport Order of Malta, who was a young male, was waiting to get into one of the cars when the accident occurred which resulted in him being injured.
A training session at the Order of Malta’s nearby headquarters had taken place that evening and the victim ignored his injuries to attend other casualties.
A fellow member of the Order of Malta in Westport said the young man’s training kicked in following the accident and he started to give first aid to people who were more seriously injured. Other members of the Order of Malta also arrived at the scene and gave assistance until the ambulance arrived.
The young Order of Malta volunteer, along with two others, who were in one of the cars, were transferred to Mayo General Hospital. An elderly woman was kept in hospital due to the seriousness of the injuries while the other two were later discharged.
It was the second car accident in successive days to occur in Westport following a two car collision in the town land of Carrowbeg, Ayle, on Thursday afternoon. One female was injured in a two-car collision that occurred at 1.30pm but her injuries are not thought to be serious.
The road connecting the Mace junction at Aughagower with the N5 Westport/Castlebar Road was closed to allow for an examination of the scene.

Burglary
Meanwhile, two men charged with burglary in Westport are to appear before Westport District Court on September 3. The men are accused of burglary of a business in the Mill Street car park in Westport in the early hours of August 6. The front door of the business was kicked in and a lap top was stolen.
Later that morning, two men were arrested and questioned in relation to the burglary and were later charged and released on bail to appear before Westport District Court on September 3. The laptop was later recovered.
Gardaí have also called for motorists to be vigilant and not to leave valuables in their car after a parked car was broken into near Ashleigh Falls on Monday, August 17. The incident occurred between 6.30pm and 7.30pm when the window of the car was smashed and a quantity of cash and a Samsung Galaxy mobile phone was stolen.
The occupants who were visitors to the area had parked the car before going to see the Ashleigh Falls. Gardaí have asked people to ensure they do not leave any valuables visible in cars.