Thursday, June 18, 2009
** Autopsy on Vermont medic fails to shed light on ambulance crash
** Vermont EMS Memorial flag lowered to half mast in honour of EMT killed Monday
** New South Wales medic pleads guilty to attempted murder, but still secures EMS job for when he gets out
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Police looking into a Vermont ambulance crash Monday will have to await toxicology tests on the medic involved to get answers. That is the word from WCAX (June 17) which said an autopsy done on provider Dale Long, 49, failed to reveal anything that might have sparked the EMS unit to leave the road. According to the newspaper, speculation is now surrounding the possibility Long may have suffered a medical crisis prior to the accident. Police are also not saying what role, if any, a hail storm may have played in the crash.
** In a related story, the flag at the Vermont EMS Memorial in Pittsford was ordered to half mast Tuesday to honour the memory of Bennington EMT Dale Long. The Bennington Banner (Neal P. Goswami/June 17) said Long, 48, who was killed in a Monday ambulance accident, was well known in EMS circles because of his nearly three decade career. Toiling at the time of his death with the Bennington Rescue Squad, Long had also worked in Manchester. Recognized as the Vermont EMS Advanced Rescuer of the Year in 1998, he was additionally given the Star of Life Award by the American Ambulance Association last month in Washington, D.C. A memorial service, which is expected to be very well attended, is pending. Two other medics in the ambulance, meanwhile, survived the crash that killed Long. A male medic was treated and released from hospital, while a female practitioner remains in serious, but not life threatening condition in Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** A Newcastle, New South Wales paramedic may soon be cooling his heels in jail for attempted murder, but at least he’s secured an EMS job for when he gets out. ABC News (June 17) said that is the information provided at a Newcastle District Court. According to the newspaper, Daniel Higgins pleaded guilty to trying to murder his partner Leanne Egan in December 2007. Along with hitting her over the head and attempting to strangle her, he also set fire to the woman’s home. In speaking on his behalf, defence attorney Terry Healey said the incident wasn’t that bad and that Higgins has valuable skills that can benefit the community. Sentencing has been set for August.
