Coroner calls for safety barriers after tragic accident

A coroner has urged Mayo County Council to erect barriers to prevent vehicles from accidentally entering the main river that runs through Castlebar.

Patrick O'Connor made his comments during an inquest into the tragic death of a young doctor who lost her life last January when her car reversed into the Castlebar River after crashing through a barrier.

Dr Farah Ahmed, aged 31, was a staff member at Mayo University Hospital and lived in an apartment at Tucker Street in Castlebar, just yards from where she died on Friday, January 20, 2023. The inquest at Swinford Courthouse heard that Ms Ahmed's car reversed at speed into the river and flipped over before it became submerged in water. Due to poor visibility and lighting, it was over 75 minutes before the alarm was raised.

Garda Christopher Perrett told the inquest that he viewed CCTV footage from a nearby pharmacy that showed Dr Ahmed, who was a learner driver, attempting to park her car, a 2011-registered Audi A6, in Hoban's Carpark, off the Market Square, shortly after 10.15pm. She tried to straighten up before reversing at high speed through a wire fence that separated the car park from the river. 

Gda Perrett said there were not many people around when the incident occurred and gardaí were not alerted to the tragic accident until 11.45pm. When he arrived, he observed the back right wheel of an upside-down vehicle in the river, which had fast-flowing water at the time of the accident.

Fire service personnel and divers arrived at the river and Dr Ahmed's body was removed from the car. The Pakistan-born medic was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sgt Gabriel McLoughlin, public service vehicle inspector in Mayo, said the accident occurred between two pedestrian footbridges across the river and no mechanical defects were identified with the car. It was a relatively dry night with some mist and occasional drizzle.

Sgt McLoughlin said the pedestrian fence Ms Ahmed struck was approximately 1.17 metres in height. There was a hollow steel, tubular bar welded onto the fence.

"I do not believe the fence is there to stop vehicles, I believe it is a pedestrian fence," he added.

Sgt McLoughlin said three tyre marks were found on the footpath. The vehicle's rear passenger window was broken and there was damage to the roof and back bumper.

Sgt McLoughlin said Dr Ahmed's car entered the car park from the Market Square entrance at 10.16pm. Approximately one minute later, she attempted to straighten out towards Main Street. She started to reverse at 10.17pm and the front lights began to drop before the vehicle flipped backwards and entered the water at 10.18pm.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Patrick O'Connor made several observations and recommendations.

"I have become aware in recent years that the Castlebar River is quite a dangerous place and I think it behoves the local authority and others to perhaps look at what safety measures are facilitated off the river," he said. "Unfortunately, in Farah's case, there was not a barrier to stop her car when she reversed."

Mr O'Connor also referred to an earlier inquest into the death of Castlebar pedestrian Tony Fallon, aged 55, who died on July 11, 2023, after accidentally falling into the same river.

"It does seem to me that following this inquest - and the other inquest that I referred to today - that the entire riverbank should be looked at and that safety barriers need to be put in place, not just for the benefit of pedestrians but also for other road users," he added.

Mr O'Connor sympathised with Dr Ahmed's sister Iqra, who travelled from London for the inquest, and he also sent condolences to the staff at Mayo University Hospital on the tragic passing of the young medic.

He concluded by paying tribute to the emergency services personnel and all those who assisted with the recovery of Dr Ahmed's body.