The UL Hospitals Group has launched an investigation following the death of a patient after he was found with a broken neck on the ground next to his trolley.

The investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the fall at the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick (UL).

It is not clear at this stage if the man sustained the broken neck as a result of the fall from the trolley or if it was a previous injury.

The middle-aged patient was discovered by a ED nurse in a collapsed state on the floor beside his trolley earlier last month.

Despite valiant efforts by staff to revive the patient, he was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly afterwards.

Hospital sources confirmed the incident was being investigated as part of normal protocols following the death of a patient in a hospital setting.

A statement released by the UL Hospital Group read: “For reasons of patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual cases. All serious incidents are managed through the HSE Integrated Risk Management Policy.”

A later statement released by the hospital group read: “Insofar that there is an inquest into the death of a patient, the cause of death will be determined by the coroner. UL Hospital Group will as always fully comply with the coroner if and when required.”

UHL management is expected to meet with the deceased patient’s family “in the coming days”.

All circumstances surrounding the man’s death are being investigated.

A hospital source said the patient was discovered sometime between 3am and 4am on the morning in question, by a nurse who was carrying out a routine patient checks.

“It is being investigated and staff have given statements,” the source said.