In Newry, County Down, a 39-year-old woman died while waiting for paramedics from Belfast owing to a paucity of staff in the Southern area.

After a night out with friends, Jody Keenan, as she is known locally, fell early on Sunday morning.

When her companions called 999, they were advised that they would have to wait a long time since there was no team ready to respond.

A Serious Adverse Incident Review is to be conducted by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

All incidents that result in or may have resulted in significant harm, loss, and damage to patients are referred to as severe adverse events (SAEs).

NIAS expressed concern that the degree of coverage fell short of what had been “intended and anticipated”.

“It took us too long to respond and we really apologise,” said Nigel Ruddell, the medical director, to BBC News NI about the “important call” in Ms Keenan’s case.

A 38-mile trip from Belfast to Newry took EMS 45 minutes, or so.

Ms. Keenan had already dead by the time they arrived.

Before the ambulance arrived at the incident on the city’s Trevor Hill, police officers were on the scene. Her demise is not being investigated for any reason.