The case of a 39-year-old woman who died while waiting 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive in Newry will be investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
Because police were with Jody Keenan soon before she died, the PSNI informed Police Omdusman Marie Anderson about the situation.
Ms Keenan died on Sunday in the Trevor Hill area of Newry, Co Down, after collapsing.
At around 3.15 a.m., the ambulance service got an emergency call, but due to the lack of available crews, no ambulance was available in the Newry area.
At 3.52 a.m., a PSNI officer arrived first at the scene, but Ms Keenan had sadly lost her life despite attempts to resuscitate her.
Her mother performed CPR once she had arrived at the scene.
Superintendent Norman Haslett, the PSNI district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said the Ombudsman’s office was contacted since officers were with Jody just before she died.
“We are currently assisting the ombudsman with their assessment and our thoughts remain firmly at this time with Jody’s family, friends, colleagues and all those affected by this tragic incident.
“Whilst the Police Ombudsman conducts her assessment no further comment will be made.”
A serious incident review will be carried out, according to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS).
Only two ambulance crews were available in the Southern division at the time Ms Keenan collapsed. On a Saturday night, ten crews were expected to be available.
