Investigations launched into toddler halting site accident
Pakie fights for life in UHG after drain accident
By Martina Nee
Three investigations have been launched, and efforts made to put fencing around a waterlogged ditch at a temporary halting site, following an accident last weekend which has left a toddler on life support.
The HSE confirmed yesterday that 20-month-old Pakie Delaney has been in a “critical” condition at University Hospital Galway since the accident which occurred pn Sunday afternoon close to his home at the temporary halting site at Carrowbrowne on the Headford Road.
The toddler had been visiting his grandparents’ trailer, which is parked outside the temporary site, but had wandered off and fallen into the ditch where water had collected after work had been carried out to fill in a drain close to the area. The boy was spotted face down in the water and frantic efforts were made to pull him out and revive him. Dad Tom and mum Priscilla, as well as other family members, are now maintaining a constant bedside vigil and are praying for Pakie’s recovery.
According to a Garda spokesperson, the grandparents noticed the boy missing and began a frantic search. Other family members were soon on the scene and the toddler was recovered from the ditch. He was then rushed to UHG at around 5.15pm and is now on life support. Although gardai believe the incident was a “tragic accident” an investigation has been launched. Gardai are currently trawling through CCTV footage in order to ascertain how the accident occurred.
Two further investigations are also being carried out by the Galway City Council and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Council spokesperson Gary McMahon told the Advertiser that the investigation is on-going and that the council is “liaising with the HSA” which has been on the site carrying out an inspection. He went on to say: “No matter the outcome of the investigation, our concern is for the poor unfortunate child and his family.”
“It’s an unfortunate situation and our thoughts are with the family. The council have been in contact with them,” he said.
When asked why such a deep pool of water was left to gather near a halting site, where young children are, and why it had not been fenced off earlier, Mr McMahon said that the council could not comment while the investigation is ongoing. Regarding reports that the water had gathered because of work on a nearby drain, Mr McMahon said that there “had been on-going work in the area over time”. He added that more information will be given by the council when the investigation is concluded. He also said that the council has put up fencing around the area.
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