Author Archives : admin

** Pennsylvania man remains in jail without bail for spitting blood on paramedic

** Australian ambulance goes up in flames

** An Easton, Pennsylvania man remains in jail after failing to post bond following his arrest for spitting blood on a paramedic Saturday. That is the word from The Express-Times (Tony Rhodin/June 2) which said Eric Thompson, 39, has been charged with aggravated assault x 2, simple assault x 1, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness. According to the newspaper, Thompson attacked the medic after being transported to hospital for evaluation following an attempted street fight. Visibly impaired, he had been pushing and shoving pedestrians before shouting obscenities at police. Once at hospital, he set upon the EMT and kicked a police officer in the head.

** A Melbourne ambulance went up in flames Tuesday, after medics stopped to aid a van driver battling a vehicle fire. The Daily Mail (Adam Duggan/June 3) said the incident, which occurred at a city shopping centre, played out as medics checked the car’s occupants for injury and attempted to push back other vehicles from the scene. According to the newspaper, the EMS rig lit up after the burning van backed up into it. As a result of the contact, the ambulance’s front and engine area was destroyed. The van driver, meanwhile, said he was less upset by his vehicle burning than he was at the loss of his wallet to the flames.

** Calgary medics sued by surviving spouse of beating victim

** Ornge air ambulance on hot seat again, this time for fatal 2013 Ontario chopper crash

** A group of Calgary EMS medics are being sued by the widow of a man beaten to death as he walked home from a grocery store 2 years ago. That is the word from the Calgary Herald (Daryl Slade/May 30) which said the negligence suit is seeking $3 million. According to the newspaper, Gloria Herrera alleges her husband John Fernando Herrera-Garcia was improperly treated by medics following the attack. Three paramedics and one EMT are named in the action. Among the failures Herrera cites are the alleged improper placement of a breathing tube which robbed her husband of oxygen for an undisclosed time. The money being sought in the case includes damages, funeral expenses, past and future loss of earnings, as well as past and future household services. Herrera-Garcia was assaulted May 23, 2012;he died on September 12th of that year.

** Ontario’s troubled Ornge air ambulance service is on the hot seat again, this time from the Ministry of Labour for a fatal 2013 crash that killed four staff members. The CBC (May 30) said the organization is being tagged with 17 Canadian Labour Code violations for last year’s May 31st incident which killed two paramedics and two pilots. According to the newspaper, the Sikorsky S-76A crashed near Moosonee shortly after takeoff. The crew was bound for a northern reserve at the time. Many of the charges relate to inadequate pilot training and failing to ensure employee safety. Ornge remains under police investigation for a separate matter. In that case, authorities are looking into the alleged mishandling of government funds.