The parents of a baby girl killed in the October crash of a medical helicopter in Aurora today sued the companies that operated the chopper.

The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court against Air Angels Inc. and Reach Medical Holdings Inc., alleges widespread negligence and systemic failures to follow safety practices that would have prevented the accident.

The suit was filed on behalf of Robert and Brooke Blockinger, whose 14-month-old daughter, Kirstin, died on Oct. 15 when the helicopter taking her to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago struck a radio tower support wire and crashed in Aurora. The pilot, a nurse and a paramedic on board were also killed.

Plaintiffs' attorney Don Nolan said the accident would have been "totally preventable" if Air Angels had equipped the helicopter with a terrain-avoidance warning system and conducted a risk evaluation before the flight.

Nolan cited "personal stress issues," including divorce proceedings, for the 69-year-old pilot.

The National Transportation Safety Board has ruled out mechanical problems with the helicopter, indicating pilot error as the probable cause.  A final determination is expected this year.

--Jon Hilkevitch


WGN:  http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/parents-of-infant-killed-in-chopper-crash-file-suit.html

ROCHESTER — The woman who suffered minor injuries after a car accident involving a Frisbie Memorial Hospital ambulance Sunday afternoon was charged with failing to yield to the emergency vehicle.

Shannon Foster, 39, no street address provided, of Rochester was charged with the driving violation after an investigation into the accident that occurred on North Main Street at the intersection of Bridge and Union streets, between her 1991 Acura Legend and a Frisbie ambulance, a 2003 Ford E-450SD, driven by paramedic Evan Pollock.

According to police, the ambulance was traveling south on North Main Street with its emergency lights and sirens activated, following another ambulance from Farmington that was transporting a patient to Frisbie's emergency room. According to Frisbie officials, the ambulance involved in the accident was not transporting a patient.

Police said the ambulance entered the intersection of Bridge and Union streets and was struck in the left front corner of its body by the front bumper of the Acura. Foster was traveling on Union Street, police said, when she started from a stop after the first ambulance passed and allegedly struck the second ambulance.

Interviews police conducted with witnesses revealed the second ambulance did have its emergency signals on.

Foster was transported to Frisbie with minor injuries following the accident.

Police would like to remind drivers it is their duty to yield the right of way when an emergency vehicle is approaching with its emergency signals on. They said drivers should pull parallel to the right-hand edge of the roadway and should remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed.
 

Foster's Daily Democrat:  http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090106/GJNEWS_01/701069888/-1/FOSNEWS

AKRON — Police arrested 32-year-old Charles Fortson, who they say attacked paramedics trying to assist a member of his family.

Paramedics were called to a Delia Avenue house about 5 p.m. Dec. 10 to help someone who had fallen. Fortson became "very agitated and aggressive toward them," police Lt. Rick Edwards said.

The paramedics tried to calm Fortson down, but a physical confrontation occurred. A paramedic and Fortson fell to the ground. No one was seriously injured. Fortson left before police arrived.

Police couldn't find him to arrest him until late Friday night, when there was a brief standoff at his Noble Avenue home. He is charged with misconduct at an emergency, as well as prior assault, burglary and traffic charges.

Cleveland Plain Dealer:  http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/police_arrest_man_accused_of_a.html

DELAWARE CITY -- With distant sirens wailing their goodbye, fallen volunteer firefighter Michelle L. Smith was laid to rest Monday afternoon in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna.
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Steeped in symbolism and drenched in tears, the funeral for the firefighter killed in the line of duty included a procession of 135 emergency vehicles stretching for miles behind a shrouded fire engine carrying Smith's American-flag-draped coffin.

Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and friends assembled outside the Delaware City station, and raised their hands in salute as Smith was carried from the building for a final time.

It was a display of fraternity, dedication and solidarity.

Some attending the funeral knew Smith, describing her as a loving mother to her 12-year-old daughter, dedicated to her field and dearly missed. Most others had never met her, but said their attendance was crucial to recognize her sacrifice in the line of duty while trying to save someone else.

Christiana Hospital Dr. Mark D. Cipolle met 30-year-old Smith only once -- on Dec. 20, the night she was hit by a passing car as she attended to a fallen motorcyclist on North Du Pont Highway.

It was the loss of a fellow emergency professional that brought Cipolle to the Smyrna cemetery.

"I knew Michelle just when she came in as a patient, but I think I know her very well, like so many members of the community," he said. "This is one of our own. What these people do is just incredible. It takes a team of trauma workers. They're on the front lines."

Before loading her casket onto the engine for the funeral procession, the Delaware City Fire Co. gave a final alarm in her honor, sounding the siren and sending out a countywide radio call that she had died. Members of the company carried her fire gear -- marked with her now-retired No. 15-107 -- out of the fire hall and onto the fire engine.

The truck was covered in black cloth hiding the lights and adornments. The coffin, draped with a U.S. flag, was placed atop the truck and covered with flowers. The firetruck took the casket for a final ride around the station before lining up behind several trucks to proceed to Smyrna.

Demonstration of dedication Kenneth Getty, a Delaware City firefighter, was one of 1,300 who followed the casket more than 20 miles down Route 1.

Standing next to one of the several Delaware City fire engines that participated in the ceremony, Getty said Smith was dedicated to her job, an excellent paramedic and a friend. Her death, he said, will leave much more than a physical void.

"There is a fire brotherhood," Getty said. "Every time the next call comes in, we'll think of Michelle."

Fire companies from Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania came to honor Smith, lining their engines down Delaware City's streets three blocks wide and three blocks deep. Dave Veasey, 65, of Delaware City, walked from his home on Adams Street to see the trucks of all different colors lined down his street.

"It's a big show of dedication that all these guys are here," Veasey said.

Veasey, whose son is a volunteer with the Delaware City company, said the loss of a fellow firefighter hit close to home.

"It sort of upsets me that something like this can really happen. It's a tragic thing that happened," Veasey said. "My prayers are with the [family]."

Fire stations from around the state brought their trucks and personnel to overpasses along the procession route. Each overpass was draped with an American flag and firefighters stood ready to salute.

At the cemetery, two firetrucks stretched their ladders across the entryway, holding up a large American flag for the procession to pass under, symbolizing Smith passing through an archway to heaven, said Delaware City Fire Company spokesman Dave Carpenter.

Bagpipes played and officers from the New Castle County Police Department fired a gun salute as nine firefighters carried the casket from the fire engine to the burial site.

As the final honors of a fallen firefighter were bestowed, taps sounded and the loud gong of the memorial bell from the Bells of Remembrance -- a project started by local Franciscan monk Brother David Schlatter to remember the victims of Sept. 11 -- rang out across the cemetery.

Each fire shift starts and ends with a bell ringing, Carpenter said, the bell symbolized Smith's last before being laid to rest.

Reminder of the job's risks Matthew Mitchell, a New Castle County paramedic, walked quietly away from the burial site, dressed in his formal uniform. He didn't know Smith and agreed most people attending likely had never met her, but thought it was important to pay his respects.

"You're talking about one giant family," Mitchell said. "We would be here whether we knew her or not."

Les Warrick, 58, former captain of the Cranston Height Fire Company in New Castle County, stood in the cemetery after the funeral, assembling his group for the ride home.

Warrick said it was important for so many fire companies to attend the services because it shows respect for the family of the fallen firefighter and that Smith's life wasn't given in vain.

He said attending the funeral of a fellow firefighter is a reminder of how dangerous their job can be.

"You try not to think about it, but it's there all the time," Warrick said. "It reminds you how fragile life is and how quick things can change."

Several elected officials were also on hand to pay their respects, including U.S. Rep. Mike Castle, Gov.-elect Jack Markell, Lt. Gov. John Carney, Lt. Gov.-elect Matt Denn, New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, state Auditor Tom Wagner and state Sen. Bruce Ennis.

Joseph M. Taye, the man accused of killing Smith, is being held without bail on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree assault related to her death and serious injuries suffered by motorcyclist Edward Reiss, 30, whom she was helping.

Police suspect Taye, 28, of Bear, who is paraplegic, was driving erratically and using a stick to control the gas and brake pedals of the car, which had not been retrofitted with hand controls.

Delmarva Now:  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090106/NEWS01/90106006/1002 

  by BARRETT ANDREWS, FOX Toledo News

FREMONT, Ohio (WUPW) - Carmen Durney, a 33-year-old Fremont woman, allegedly stole an ambulance and took it for a nine-hour joyride over the Christmas holiday weekend, police say.

"I looked out my window and saw an EMS van sitting," said Carol Coffman, who lives on Bloom Road. "There's no way that should sit there for five hours."

Coffman and her neighbors woke up Dec. 28 to the sight of an ambulance stuck in a Fremont field with its lights still flashing.

At first, the residents on the small dead-end street thought the parked ambulance was intentional. They decided for Hoffman to call 9-1-1 and report the unusual sight.

"One gentleman opened up the door and the other one stood to the side with his gun out, like you see on the TV set," Hoffman recounted.

According to police detectives, the whole incident started on Cherry Street hours earlier Saturday evening, Dec. 27. Emergency technicians were on a call and left the rig running. When they came out of the structure, the ambulance was nowhere to be found.

The amulance was reported stolen just after midnight on Dec. 28. Police units combed the area but couldn't locate the EMS van.

Some three miles on the other side of the city, Hoffman heard sirens.

"We had heard sounds, like an ambulance coming down the street," Coffman told FOX Toledo News. "But this is a dead-end and it won't go very far."

Police believe Durney also stole some radios, cell phones, and a medic's jacket. She left something inside the ambulance bay, though - a toy Power Wheel-model Cadillac Escalade.

Detectives told FOX Toledo News that Durney has a history of mental problems and has been fighting bi-polar disorder symptoms for years.

Durney was arraigned in Fremont Municipal Court Friday.


WAVY TV 10:  http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/strange_news/offbeat_wupw_Woman_allegedly_takes_ambulance_on_joy_ride_200901022145414

Two paramedics were injured overnight in Chicago after an SUV broadsided an ambulance, causing it to flip onto its side. EMS Network Story and Photo:  http://www.emsnetwork.org/artman2/publish/article_35244.shtml



The crash happened Friday night around 11:30pm in the 500 block of Taylor Street, just off the Dan Ryan Expressway.

A witness, Marisa Bresnahan, said the driver of the SUV ran a red light and slammed into the ambulance, forcing it onto its side.

 Bresnahan said the ambulance came to stop after nearly hitting her vehicle.
"It was scary only because the street was quiet and they had the green light," said Bresnahan.

"They had their sirens going, so they were coming right through and that car didn't pay attention at all and just hit right into them."

Rescue workers on the scene managed to pull the two paramedics, a male and a female, from the overturned vehicle.

They were taken to the hospital in stable condition.

The driver of the SUV was not injured in the crash.

So far, no charges have been filed.

A bicyclist was struck by an Acadian Ambulance as he attempted to cross a busy Pascagoula street, authorities said Sunday. EMS Network:  http://www.emsnetwork.org/artman2/publish/article_35248.shtml



Timothy Lance Baxter, 28, was leaving Fred's Discount Store on Telephone Road at 1:44 p.m. Saturday on his bike when he rode into the path of a northbound ambulance driven by 29-year-old Deanna Rey nolds, according to a news release from the Pascagoula Police Department.

Reynolds was not in route to an emergency, the release stated, and Baxter was "knocked off his bicycle," but suffered only minor injuries. He was treated and released from Singing River Hospital.

No charges have been filed, but the incident remains under investigation, according to the report.

An ambulance crew that usually responds to automobile accidents found itself involved in a wreck Sunday afternoon. EMS Network:  http://www.emsnetwork.org/artman2/publish/article_35249.shtml








A car collided with the Acadian Ambulance on Florida Boulevard and North Stevendale around 2:00pm.

Fortunately, no one at the accident scene needed an ambulance and there were no injuries to report.

There's no word yet on who was at fault

First an ambulance overturned on Interstate 90 on its way to a call Saturday night. EMS Network:  http://www.emsnetwork.org/artman2/publish/article_35243.shtml



Then a Montana Highway Patrol vehicle was damaged and the trooper injured when a vehicle hit his car as he sat inside waiting for a wrecker to arrive at the scene.

Both accidents occurred at mile marker 464, at the Pryor Creek exit, according to the Montana Highway Patrol.

The American Medical Response ambulance was eastbound on I-90, according to MHP Sgt. Jay Nelson, when it lost control due to icy conditions and rolled on its side in the median. That accident occurred at 7:05 p.m., Nelson said. Both AMR employees suffered minor injuries and were taken to St. Vincent Health Care to have their injuries evaluated.

Trooper Rick Starks responded to that accident, Nelson said, and parked his vehicle on the side of the road. As he sat waiting in his car, with the two AMR employees in the back seat, a woman driving an older model passenger vehicle struck the back of Starks' car at about 7:35.

"She was driving way too fast for the conditions, lost control on the ice and collided with the right rear of the patrol car," Nelson said.

Starks was transported by ambulance to Billings Clinic with non-life threatening injuries, Nelson said. At 9:45 p.m., his condition was still being evaluated.

The woman was not injured, Nelson said. The investigation continued Saturday night, but Nelson said a citation is pending for the woman at least for careless driving. It was not yet known if alcohol was a factor.

After the accident, the patrol car was drivable, Nelson said, but likely sustained damage totaling at least a couple thousand dollars.

Associated Content Video:  http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/38078/3_injured_in_johnston_co_accident_involving.html

BILLINGS - Slick roads caused a series of accidents involving emergency responders Saturday night on Interstate 90 near Pryor Creek.

Troopers with the Montana Highway Patrol said an ambulance trying to respond to a medical call lost control and rolled off the road. The Montana Highway Patrol responded to help. The two EMTs and a trooper were in a patrol vehicle when another car hit that vehicle causing some injuries.

The trooper was taken to the hospital in an ambulance with non-life threatening injuries and the EMTs are also being checked for injuries. Troopers warn that the roads are in very poor condition and ask you to stay off the interstate unless its an emergency.

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Officials also released the name of a teen killed in a Friday accident. Beth Berg, 16, of Billings died in a 4 vehicle crash.

KULR Story and Video:  http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/37053249.html

A 23-YEAR-OLD man may have been lying in the road when he was fatally injured by an ambulance on New Year’s Eve, police believe. Jason Phillip Hawkes died after being hit by the emergency vehicle near Scott’s Hotel on Main Road, Beddau, near Pontypridd.

Mr Hawkes, who was unemployed and lived with his parents in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police believe he was lying in the road when the ambulance, which was not on an emergency call-out, hit him at about 7.30pm on a bitterly cold night.

The two ambulance crew members, who were travelling in the direction of Talbot Green, were not injured.

Police were last night piecing together Mr Hawkes’ movements on the evening and why he was on Main Road, a busy thoroughfare between Talbot Green and Pontypridd.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out on the body today(FRI).

Inspector Carwyn Evans of South Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit called for witnesses to contact them.

He said: “We would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along that section of road, in either direction, around the time.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: “One of our emergency ambulances was involved in an accident at Beddau, involving a pedestrian who died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the family for their tragic loss.”

Winston Lee, the owner of Scott’s Hotel, said no-one there knew who the dead man was.

He said: “He hadn’t been drinking in the hotel beforehand. It’s just really sad that this has happened, and on New Year’s Eve.”

Friends yesterday spoke of Jason as a “ladies’ man” and a “sound lad”, “with a heart of gold”.

They have set up a group on the social networking website, Facebook, in his memory, where moving tributes to the young man have been posted.

Its title tribute said: “All there is to say is, Jay, you will be greatly missed by a lot of people.

“It was a pleasure to be your friend.

“Sleep tight, we’ll always remember you.”

Jason’s aunt, Michelle Cawthraw, who was too upset to talk last night, wrote: “Jay, just can’t believe you’re gone, you had your whole life ahead of you, far too young to leave us.

“You had a heart of gold, you were always there to help me and Phil whenever we needed you, we are going to miss u so much.

“We are absolutely gutted. You will never be forgotten.”

His friend Kelly Jones said: “Jason I can’t believe it, RIP, I’m in total shock.

“I was only talking to you last week, send my love to all your friends and family.”


Wales Online:  http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2009/01/02/man-killed-by-ambulance-91466-22591721/

JOHNSTON COUNTY, Okla. ― Three people were hospitalized Friday morning after an ambulance collided with a vehicle in Millburn.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a preliminary investigation indicates a woman failed to yield to the ambulance on Highway 78 near Millburn. The emergency vehicle was in route to a call east of Millburn. Emergency lights and siren were being used by the ambulance at the time of the collision early Friday morning.

if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('');if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']){ document.write(plpm['Mid-Story Ad']);} else { if(self['plurp'] && plurp['97']){} else {document.write(''); } }if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write(''); The ambulance hit the back of an SUV. The driver and two paramedics were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The SUV took out a power pole. OHP says it is possible slick roads also played a part in the accident.

"When you have condensation and fog coming over on a road that hasn't been rained on for a while, you get a little layer of oil that gets loose and it could have contributed slightly to this accident," Joe Jefferson with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.

Power was restored to affected OG&E customers in the Garden Lane area Friday afternoon.
 

KXII Story and Video:  http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/37008359.html

 
Police are investigating after a 23-year-old man died after he was hit by an ambulance on New Year's Eve.

Jason Phillip Hawkes, from Llantrisant, was outside Scott's Hotel in Beddau, near Pontypridd, when he was struck by the vehicle just after 1930 GMT.

Police said Mr Hawkes was lying in the road when the ambulance, which was not on an emergency call out, hit him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed one of its vehicles was involved.

A spokesperson said their thoughts were with the family of Mr Hawkes, who was single and unemployed and lived with his parents, for their tragic loss.

The ambulance was travelling westbound towards Talbot Green. Two crew members, who were the only occupants of the ambulance, were not injured.

Insp Carwyn Evans of South Wales Police said: "We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the collision or seen the man in the vicinity prior to the collision to contact us.

"We would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along that section of road, in either direction, around the time and would ask them to call us."

An ambulance service spokesperson said: "I can confirm that one of our emergency ambulances was involved in an accident involving a pedestrian who died at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with the family for their tragic loss.

"This incident is subject to a police investigation which means I can offer no further details."

The spokesperson added:"As I said all our thoughts are with the family at this time and with the ambulance staff involved."

Winston Lee, the owner of Scott's Hotel, said no-one there knew who the dead man was.

He said: "He hadn't been drinking in the hotel beforehand. It's just really sad that this has happened, and on New Year's Eve."

Witnesses should contact police on 01656 655555.

BBC:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7806910.stm

 
 
by Ashley B. Craig
Daily Mail staff

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Police arrested a Charleston man after he allegedly ran over a paramedic's foot on purpose in Kanawha City.

Paramedics were dispatched to a Chevrolet Metro in the 3700 block of Staunton Avenue Monday in response to a medical call concerning Lawrence David Hatton, 36, of Lee Street East, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Magistrate Court.

Paramedic Shawn Shaffer tried to administer aid to Hatton, but he grew defiant and tried to flee the scene against Shaffer's advice, the complaint stated. Hatton ran to the Metro to leave and Shaffer stepped in front of the car to stop him, according to police.

 Shaffer told Charleston Patrolman K.W. Oldham that Hatton started the car and pulled forward, running over Shaffer's left foot.

Shaffer then reached inside the car to try to get the keys, but the two struggled and Hatton accelerated and drove east on Staunton, according to the complaint.

Patrolman Welsh found the Metro in front of Hatton's Lee Street home and towed it for evidence, according to the complaint.

A woman, identified as Tonya Marie Hart, 27, also of Lee Street East, tried to stop police from towing the car and told the officers that it was her car and that she had the car the entire day, the complaint stated.

Hart later told police that she hadn't been driving the car and that she didn't know who had been driving it, the complaint said.

Oldham called Hatton to ask him to turn himself in and Hatton agreed, according to the report.

 Hatton went to the city police department and admitted that he was driving the car and that he left the scene, the complaint stated. Hatton told police he was just afraid and didn't know what to do.

Police found that Hatton's driver's license was revoked for DUI and multiple unpaid citations.

He was charged with driving with a revoked license, no insurance, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury and battery. Hart was arrested and charged with obstruction.
Charleston Daily Mail:  http://www.dailymail.com/policebrfs/200812310124