Mayo coroner claims some repeated questions from 999 operators are not necessary
Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald says 999 call operators should listen to calls rather than tick off list of questions
The Coroner for Mayo has queried some ‘unnecessary’ questions asked by 999 emergency call operators saying they can cause distress for people making the emergency call.
Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald made the comments during the inquest of a Longford man who died after his car left the N17 near Claremorris as a result of heavy rain during Storm Isha on January 21, 2024.
Francis 'Jimmy' Rowe, late of 161 Cloghran, Kilcloghans, Tuam, Co Galway and a native of Ballymahon, Co Longford was killed instantly when his car struck a concrete post at Lisduff, Claremorris.
A passing motorist raised the alarm and called the emergency services but despite confirming the man had died, the call operator continued to ask a series of questions including was he breathing.
A transcript of the emergency phone call was provided to Dr Fitzgerald as part of the investigation into Mr Rowe's death and she questioned the need to ask some of the questions.
“The emergency services do a great job but the questions they were asking were not appropriate at all to those they were talking to,” she said.
Dr Fitzgerald added: “They repeated questions asking was he breathing when the person was saying he was dead and there were no signs of life. They kept repeating because they had to tick their boxes.
“I would make a plea to the 999 emergency call centre that they listen to the person they are talking to on the phone and not to draw down unnecessary repeated questions that have no benefit at all.
It didn't slow the ambulance service coming but being asked the same question was quite distressing to the witness when they were talking to them,” she said.