Wednesday, April 20, 2011

** Texas EMT attends fatal motorcycle crash only to find victim is his own brother

** Sleeping Nevada air traffic controller in air ambulance incident suspended

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Lubbock, Texas paramedic, flagged down early Monday morning to aid a motorcycle crash victim, attended the scene only to find the fatality was his own brother. That is the word from KCBD (April 19) which said Chris Rivera and his partner were directed to the site by a bystander around 2:45 a.m. during a return trip from another call. According to the newspaper, Rivera initially did not know that the driver of the motorcycle, Jacob Rivera, 29, was his own brother. Once it became more apparent, he repeatedly called Jacob’s cell phone in the hopes he would answer. Also killed in the wreck was Rivera’s girlfriend Shae Reed, 25. Both were wearing helmets. The two were apparently thrown from their ride after striking a curb. Police say excessive speed may have contributed to the crash.

** An air traffic controller, who apparently fell asleep as a Nevada air ambulance attempted to land at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, has been suspended. KTVN Reno (April 13) said the action was taken after investigators found the dispatcher was out of contact with pilots for about 16 minutes. According to the news site, the turfing comes at a time when several other sleep incidents have been reported. As a result of the problems, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered the placing of a second controller at 27 different airports during midnight shifts.