Monday, July 26, 2010
** UK medic refuses to treat choking patient because of man’s drunk friend
** NTSB investigators arrive at Oklahoma air ambulance crash site
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A Manchester paramedic has come under scrutiny after refusing to aid a choking patient because the man’s friend was supposedly too aggressive. That is the absurd claim being put forward at an inquest into the death of builder John Kinder who took ill while supping at an area restaurant. According to the Daily Mail (July 23), Kinder’s inebriated friend Frank Honey, 65, forcefully prevented restaurant staff from assisting Kinder. When EMS arrived, they, too, shied away from coming to Kinder’s aid, deciding instead to wait ten minutes for police to arrive. Kinder, meanwhile, suffered fatal brain damage during the interval;he died five days later in hospital. Astounded by events, Kinder’s wife said she is at a loss to explain the paramedic’s actions.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators arrived on site in Kingfisher, Oklahoma Friday to begin looking into the causes of a Thursday air ambulance crash. The Associated Press (Ken Miller/July 23) said initial information indicates the A-Star 350 chopper tilted before spinning out of control and hitting a field. Burning up on impact, the aircraft left the bodies of pilot Al Harrison and flight nurse Ryan Duke severely charred. Sole survivor Michael Eccard, who has been described at various points as both a nurse and a paramedic, remains in serious condition in hospital. Kingfisher Mayor Jack Stuteville said it appears Eccard, who was found about 50 yards from the impact site, may have bailed before the chopper hit the ground. Eccard suffered no burn injuries and was conscious when EMS personnel arrived. The aircraft, which was bound from Oklahoma City Integris Baptist Medical Center to Okeene was not carrying a patient at the time.
