It was a long night last night and today is even longer By now this is all out in the public, so I don't think I am betraying any confidences with it.
Local ambulance with 2 EMT's on board picked up a patient complaining of pain (As I understand it he had been in an ATV accident a day or two earlier) were taking him to the hospital in the ambulance. They were going up a state highway about a mile north of the county line in non-emergency mode, no lights, no siren, 58 MPH ( there was an off-duty police officer 2 cars behind also northbound in his personal vehicle)
Pickup on a crossroad didn't stop and pulled in front of the ambulance. Ambulance (I think) hit pickup then rolled. It tore the side off the ambulance, threw the EMT in back and the patient out. Took one entire wall off the box and scattered ambulance contents a long ways. Driver was trapped and very disoriented.
The off duty officer saw it all and had it called in before the driver find his handheld and do it on the radio. Dispatch went into a mass casualty mode and called everyone but the National Guard. Because of the location and cell phones accessing different towers we got response from 2 different counties.
We ended up with 4 ambulances from 3 services, 2 different rescue units, 2 fire depts, 2 Sheriff departments, 3 different helicopters, and IL State Police
One helo landed on scene, the other 2 met the ambulances at local hospital. EMS decided they could get to the hospital before the choppers could arrive.
To further confuse things I believe there was another property damage only traffic accident down the road about 5 miles about the same time.
Rick Poorman was the EMT we lost. I can't remember not knowing Rick.He did a lot of things in the community and will be tough to replace.
1 comment:
I dont think he can ever be replaced and he sure set a high standard for all to follow in his foot steps. I like you dont ever remember a time I didnt know him. He was always Brenda's little brother but he was always there. A good friend and genuine in his commitment to the ambulance service. But to know his soul is saved is the best part of him.
Post a Comment