Thursday, June 12, 2008
** Family of former Alberta paramedic murdered in Thailand still seeking justice
** Lost Texas flight medic daughter of an EMS provider
** Wales medics undertake fundraising ride for ill ambulance colleague
CANADA NEWS
** The family of a former Alberta paramedic, murdered earlier this year in Thailand, say that country’s courts are unlikely to render justice in the case. The Prince George Citizen (Bill Graveland/Canadian Press/June 10) quoted the sister of Dale Henry, 48, as saying the Thai legal system has kept the family in the dark over the proceedings. Mary-Jane Matheson told the newspaper two of her brother’s alleged killers–Henry’s wife and her boyfriend– have already been exonerated for the crime;a third remains in custody. Faulting the Thai authorities, Matheson also pointed the finger at Canadian Foreign Affairs officials. She said they have assisted very little in ensuring the case is dealt with properly. A native of Victoria, Henry worked EMS in Alberta for nearly three decades. He died February 3 after being shot at close range while alseep.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** More information is beginning to filter out about the Texas air ambulance crew killed in Sunday’s crash. The Austin American-Statesman (Sue Banerjee/June 10) said PHI Air Medical paramedic Stephanie Waters, 27, became an EMS provider after watching her mother work at the job while she was growing up. Waters, 27, who resided in Cedar Park, began her prehospital career with a service in Phoenix, Arizona. She has also toiled with other services around Texas. According to the newspaper, she was also a part time EMS instructor. Waters leaves a husband, Christopher, behind.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A group of Wales paramedics and firefighters set off yesterday on a motorcycle ride to raise funds for an unnamed Cardiff EMS colleague, 39, suffering from a brain tumour. IC Wales (Katie Norman/South Wales Echo/June 11) said the undertaking, dubbed The Tidy Way Round, will take riders from Cardiff, along the coast, and up to Snowdonia in North Wales;they will then wind their way back to Cardiff. Along with accepting donations, riders have also contributed to the initiative through entry fees and ticket sales. The latter awards prizes to those who correctly guess the exact time the trip takes.
