** US Army combat medic in Texas dies during physical fitness run; cause of death still undetermined
** Ornge air ambulance sued by family of Ontario paramedic killed in 2013 crash
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Fort Carson, Texas combat medic is dead after collapsing during a physical fitness run Monday. The Stars and Stripes (Alex Horton/July 27) said Spc. Matthew R. Hester, 28, died in the morning hours while at the military base. The cause of death is so far undetermined. Hester served with the 4th Infantry’s 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Originally hailing from Hollywood, Florida, he had been in the army 16 months at the time of his death. Funeral arrangements are pending.
CANADA NEWS
** Ornge air ambulance is being sued for $3.7 million in damages by the family of a flight medic killed in a 2013 crash near Moosonee, Ontario. The Toronto Star (Bruce Campion-Smith/July 27) said relatives of EMS practitioner Chris Snowball are contending the medevac service failed to maintain appropriate safety standards in what they say was an avoidable accident. According to the newspaper, the suit is also going after Transport Canada for allowing the Ornge to continue operating in an unsafe manner over a period of years. Snowball was on board the Sikorsky S-76A when it crashed shortly after takeoff on a night flight patient pick-up bound for Attawapiskat. Along with Snowball, medic Dustin Dagenais was also killed, as were pilots Don Filliter and Jacques Dupuy. John and Deborah Snowball, Chris’ parents, are the instigators of the action, alongside Chris’ 19-year-old daughter.
