Tuesday, August 30, 2011

** Hurricane Irene related incident claims life of New Jersey EMT

** Fatal Missouri air ambulance crash sparked by lack of fuel?

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Sunday morning water rescue attempt in New Jersey has cost the life of an EMT. WPVI (August 29) said Princeton rescuer Michael Kenwood succumbed to injuries incurred after being swept away by fast moving rapids brought on by Hurricane Irene. According to the newspaper, Kenwood was a member of the swift water rescue team. He had been dispatched to a vehicle on a flooded waterway to determine if any occupants were still inside. Told to stand down when conditions became too dangerous, Kenwood apparently lost his grip as an attempt was made to move him to safety. The vehicle was later determined to have been abandoned.

** The Friday crash of an air ambulance near Mosby, Missouri may have been caused by low fuel. That is the word from the Kansas City Star (Mark Morris/Brad Cooper/Robert A. Cronkelton/August 27) which said that, at least, is one of the initial theories involving the Eurocopter AS-350. According to the newspaper, the 7 p.m. crash killed four people. Along with a patient, Savannah flight paramedic Chris Frakes, 36, Savannah flight nurse Randy Bever, 47, and Rapid City, South Dakota pilot James Freudenberg, 34 also perished. The fuel theory has gained credence since the husband of the deceased patient on board came forward. Victor Tacaronte told reporters law enforcement officials had indicated to him the aircraft ran out of gas. An Air Methods spokesman has declined comment on the matter. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Peter Knudson, meanwhile, said investigators do not yet have fuel information on the chopper.