Tuesday, June 9, 2009

** Labrador air ambulance pilot killed in crash

** Theft of Edmonton ambulance leads to 4 hour police chase

** Third Tasmanian ambulance officer confirmed for Swine Flu

CANADA NEWS

** Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board officials are en route to Port Hope Simpson in southeast Labrador after an air ambulance crashed there early Sunday. The CanWest News Service (June 7) said the mishap, which killed a 43-year-old pilot, took place as the aircraft was headed to Port Hope to pick up a patient for delivery to St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Carrying only the pilot on board, the twin engine plane ceased radio contact around 7:50 a.m. after encountering fog. Wreckage was later found six kilometres west of Port Hope Simpson. Along with locating the debris, searchers have already retrieved the body of the pilot whose name has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

** Four hours after beginning their pursuit, Edmonton police in Alberta arrested a St. Albert man for stealing an ambulance from a call site Sunday. The Edmonton Journal (Ben Gelinas/June 8) said the chase, which began around 6 p.m., ended on the Yellowhead Highway near Jasper after a spike belt blew out the EMS unit’s tires. According to the newspaper, John Hamilton Buchanan, 29, has been charged with fleeing police and theft over $5,000.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** EMS in Tasmania continues to strain with a third ambulance officer now being diagnosed with Swine Flu. That is the word from The Mercury (Damien Brown/June 7) which said along with those confirmed as ill with the virus, a further 10 are currently in quarantine with suspected cases. All of the cases are in the North-West region of the state. As a result of the draw on staffing, medics are being brought in from the North and South to help out. Tasmania, itself, has 8 confirmed infections and 50 possibles awaiting testing.