Courts

Verdict of accidental death returned at inquest into death of doctor (31) who reversed into swollen river

Coroner says entire river bank should be looked at to prevent not just vehicles going in but also pedestrians

Dr Farah Ahmed, who drowned, was a member of the medical staff at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.
Dr Farah Ahmed, who drowned, was a member of the medical staff at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.
Tom Shiel
Mon Dec 18 2023 - 16:27

A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Monday at an inquest into the death of a 31-year-old doctor who drowned when her car suddenly reversed at speed through a safety barrier into a swollen river in Castlebar, Co Mayo last January.

The victim was Pakistani born Dr Farah Ahmed, a member of the medical staff at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.

The coroner for Mayo, Patrick O’Connor described the vicinity of the river in the town as quite dangerous from the evidence he had heard.

“Unfortunately there is no adequate barrier in place to Dr Ahmed’s car going into the river and this needs be rectified,” he said.

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He continued: “The entire river bank should be looked at to prevent not just vehicles going in but also pedestrians”.

Garda Christopher Perrett, who attended the scene of the tragedy close to midnight on January 21 last, said the Castlebar river at Hoban’s car park was high and fast flowing at the time.

“The (Audi 6) car was almost completely covered by water,” Garda Perrett recounted. “The vehicle had flipped over. I could not see inside the vehicle”.

It was only when the car was lifted on to the pavement that Dr Ahmed’s body was discovered.

Garda Perrett said CCTV footage from a local premises showed the car reversing at speed through a wire fence leaving a large hole in the fence.

Sergeant Gabriel McLoughlin, garda PSV inspector for Mayo, gave evidence the car had been in reverse gear when it entered the water.

There was no evidence of the car being defective in any way, Sgt McLoughlin stated.

After returning a verdict of accidental death, Mr O’Connor expressed sympathy with Iqra Ahmed, a sister of the deceased who travelled from England with her daughter for the hearing as well as her parents, who were unable to travel because of visa difficulties.

The coroner described Ms Ahmed as a medical doctor whose services were very much appreciated in this country.

“She is fondly remembered by her (hospital) colleagues”, the coroner stated.

Sergeant Fiona Farrell, on behalf of An Garda Siochana, joined in the expressions of sympathy.

Tom Walsh, solicitor representing next of kin, said Dr Ahmed’s family and friends greatly appreciated the services provided by gardaí and members of the rescue services at the scene of the tragedy.

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