Serious Ambulance MVA In Deleware With Paramedic LODD 1-28-08

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Thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and injured.

Impact zone on the ambulance proves why their needs to be more realistic ambulance crash standards, as well as other standard saftey updgrades.

UPDATE: Delaware Crash/Positive News (The Secret List)

January 28, 2008

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Hey...

We were initially advised (and confirmed twice) by officials that hospital staff had advised that the Paramedic in Sussex County had passed away, but now the good news and updated information is that the Paramedic is still alive. We will keep you advised. Please keep all in Delaware and especially Sussex County, the Paramedics family and all affected, in your prayers and hope for the best following this very positive news.

Take Care,

BillyG

The Secret List 1-28-08 1023 hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Photo And Info from FireFighterCloseCalls.com

[mfc2257 464]

On Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at approximately 6:15 a.m., a Millsboro Fire Company ambulance was involved in a collision with an SUV at the intersection of Beaver Dam and Indian Mission roads in eastern Sussex County.

The ambulance was returning from a medical call to Beebe Medical Center in Lewes when, for an unknown reason, an SUV crashed into the right rear side of the ambulance. The ambulance was occupied by two EMTs, a male and female, from the Millsboro Fire Company and one paramedic, a male, from Sussex County Emergency Medical Services.

Delaware State Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash. One fatality, in the SUV, occurred.

The three medical personnel all suffered injuries that required immediate medical attention. The female EMT, identified by Millsboro Fire Company officials as EMT Mercedes Berry, was transported to Beebe, where she was treated and released for minor injuries. The male EMT and Sussex County Paramedic III John Schmitt were flown to Christiana Hospital near Stanton, Del., with serious injuries.

The male EMT, also identified by Millsboro Fire Company as EMT Frank DeFord, is still being evaluated at Christiana Hospital. Paramedic Schmitt, a 15-year veteran of SCEMS, was admitted to the intensive care unit with possible head injuries, and is still under examination.

Sussex County Emergency Medical Services Director Glenn Luedtke said the incident has touched many within the SCEMS family, as Paramedic Schmitt is a long-serving member of the unit with many friends and colleagues.

"The collective thoughts and prayers of the SCEMS family are with John and the other medical personnel who were injured in this crash," Director Luedtke said. "Our staff, and other public safety providers like them, risk their lives every day to provide quality, compassionate and professional care. Sometimes that risk catches up with you. We're hopeful John can mend quickly, and we here at SCEMS will do whatever we can to support him and his family in this time of need."

Edited January 28, 2008 by mfc2257

[Guest FFNick]

Quite an impact, and it looks like the axle did not shift on the bus, so I'm curious to see how this happened.

[Guest FFNick]

Initial post indicates a LODD but the article quote indicates civilian death w/ medic injured?

He edited the post while you were entering yours....

No LODD as initially reported.