Byford: Coroner to investigate after ambulance delayed by boom gate triggered by human interference

THE Coroner will investigate an incident in which a man died after an ambulance was delayed by a train crossing in Byford last night.

Mundijong Police took to Twitter last night to criticise the “irresponsible person/s who triggered the train crossing on Thomas Road, Byford at 10.30pm.”

“Congratulations, you succeeded in delaying an ambulance on its way to an emergency cardiac call,” it said.

The tweet said local police would be checking CCTV footage of the incident and encouraged witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A St John Ambulance WA spokesman said today that the ambulance crew was responding to a priority one call regarding a cardiac arrest patient when the incident at the train crossing took place.

“They were travelling to this patient’s address when the incident occurred,” the spokesman said.

“After picking up the patient, paramedics attempted resuscitation on the patient until arrival at Armadale Hospital.

“We are unable to provide further comment as we believe this matter will be investigated by the Coroner.”

A police spokeswoman said while she could not confirm details of the patient, there was “an issue with a set of boom gates at the Thomas Road Byford crossing”.

“The problem was rectified and the gates re-opened,” she said.

“We do not have specific details of how long the ambulance may have been stopped but I believe it was not very long.”