This article is from page 8 of the 2011-05-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE quick thinking of one local doctor saved the lives of five elderly women in Kilkee on Sunday evening.
The five women were still being treated at the Mid West Regional Hospital in Ennis yesterday evening following a major gas leak at a house on Railway Road in Kilkee just after 6.30pm on Sunday evening.
Four of the women, whose names have not been released, were found unconscious at the house after the quick thinking of the ShannonDoc doctor on call alerted the emergency services to the potential tragedy.
The five women, who meet each Sunday for a chat and a catch up, were saved after one of the women left the gathering early, complaining of a sickness.
When she returned home, her husband called ShannonDoc, who quickly sent out a doctor to assist the woman.
As soon as the doctor saw the sick woman, he realised that a serious tragedy could be about to take place and raised the alarm.
When the emergency services and the fifth woman’s husband arrived at the house, they found the women unconscious and removed them from the house before bringing them to the Mid Western Regional hospital in Ennis for treatment.
Ambulances from Kilrush and Ennis attended the scene, as well as a rapid response advanced paramedic unit from Ennis. Gardaí cordoned off the area while fire crews, wearing specialist breathing apparatus, searched the house for the source of the leak.
Fire crews established that the gas was leaking from a bulk tank at the rear of the house. They remained at the scene for several hours until technicians made the gas tank safe.
It is not thought that any of the women are seriously ill but it is likely to be later this afternoon (Tuesday) at the earliest before they are discharged from hospital.