Monday, April 30, 2007
** Driver in fatal ambulance crash may have suffered a heart attack
** Oregon paramedic sued after allegedly divulging details of rape victim’s ordeal
** Two New York EMTS resign after illegally videotaping patients
** Kentucky medics fired on while at call
UNITED STATES NEWS
** The driver of a Dunstable, Massachusetts ambulance, involved in a fatal crash last week, may have had a heart attack while at the wheel. That is the word from the Boston Globe (John R. Ellement/April 28) which said medic Michael J. Latta, 21, apparently had a pre-existing medical condition. Patriot Ambulance worker Latta has was en route to Lawrence General Hospital around 3 p.m. Thursday when he lost control of the unit and crashed into a garage. Both he and a patient were pronounced dead by doctors a short time later. Latta, who graduated from EMT training at Essex Community College, began working EMS last August.
** A Portland, Oregon paramedic is under fire, after allegedly posting details of a rape victim’s February 15 ordeal on a website. The Associated Press (April 28) said American Medical Response worker Simon Green is now being sued by the victim. The woman alleges Green’s action impeded the police investigation and placed her under unrelenting public scrutiny. Green said he uploaded the info to spur those under such an attack to fight back.
** A pair of Clermont County, Kentucky EMTs narrowly escaped injury Friday, after an unknown shooter fired on them while they attended a patient. WCPO (April 28) said the evening incident, which occurred in Tate Township, played out with the gunman letting loose with the shots while inside the patient’s house. Police continue to investigate.
** Two New York EMTs reached the end of their careers this past week when they resigned for videotaping patients in their care. The New York Post (Erika Martinez/April 28) said David Campbell and Kevin Edell bit the bullet after a couple of decades on the job. The jig was up for the duo when department heads were handed DVD proof of their escapades by an anonymous source.
