Monday, January 21, 2008

** Former Arizona paramedic charged with impersonating firefighter

** UK flight medic continues to battle back from brain injury

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A former Arizona paramedic has been convicted of impersonating a Los Angeles County, California firefighter. That is the word from the Associated Press (January 19) which said James Charles Campbell, 45, was charged Friday. Along with the impersonation tag, he was also hit with two felony firearms possession charges. Not necessarily a new pursuit for Campbell, he allegedly faked access to emergency patients during 9/11 and both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A convicted felon, his criminal record includes credit card fraud reaching back to 1987. If convicted on the new charges, he could spend over three years in the clink. Arraignment has been set for tomorrow.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A Teeside flight paramedic, injured December 30 in a light airplane crash, continues to deal with a serious brain injury. The Evening Gazette (Mike Morgan/January 18) said Jon Ker, who broke both legs, his nose, and suffered facial injuries in the incident, remains in a Newcastle hospital. Unable to remember details of the crash, Ker’s parents told the newspaper he likely has weeks of recovery ahead of him. A sort of adventurer, the accident is his second in recent years. A previous brush with death occurred while abseiling in inclement weather. Ker and an air ambulance pilot survived a 100 ft. fall;a third man died in the mishap.