TWO AMBULANCE WORKERS DIE ON WAY TO EMERGENCY

[Guest]

News

TWO AMBULANCE WORKERS DIE ON WAY TO EMERGENCY

By Amy Riggin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Thursday, February 16, 2006 11:46 PM CST

FORDYCE — Two emergency workers died Wednesday evening when their ambulance went off the road and hit a tree in rural Dallas County, west of Fordyce.

According to the State Police’s accident report, the two men were responding to a medical emergency when the 7 p.m. accident occurred. The ambulance was northbound on Arkansas 273 when the driver lost control while negotiating a curve.

The driver, James K. Goodman, 46, of Redfield, was pronounced dead at the scene by Dallas County Coroner Tom Tidwell. The passenger, Timothy H. Clowers, 31, of Sheridan, was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center at Pine Bluff, where he died a few hours later, State Police said.

Goodman was an emergency medical technician and Clowers was a paramedic for Emergency Ambulance Service Inc. (EASI).

“This is a tragedy, not only to Kent and Tim’s families, but to EMS (emergency medical services) in Arkansas,” said Kenneth Starnes, chief executive officer of EASI. “Thankfully, a tragedy like this seldom happens, but when it does it just tears the entire EMS community apart. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming.”

The accident report indicated that neither of the men were wearing seat belts. The vehicle overturned several times before striking the tree, ejecting them both.

Starnes said EASI’s policy requires employees to wear seatbelts.

“But you have to remember the mindset of these guys,” he added. “They’re going to save a life and in their minds everything else is secondary. It is, of course, a tragedy, but their intentions are always golden.”

The weather was clear and the roads were dry. The crew had left Fordyce headed to Carthage in northeast Dallas County.

Carthage is about 30 miles west of Pine Bluff.

Starnes said he set up memorial funds at Simmons First National Bank for the families of both Goodman and Clowers. Donations can be made at any Simmons branch.

Goodman was married with two children.

Clowers was single.

Funeral services for Goodman will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors at Pine Bluff.

Visitation is today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements for Clowers will be announced later by Robinson’s.

Please Wear your belts ALL.[u]

squint

[Ridryder 911]

I find it hypocritical for those that not wear seatbelts. Here we preach it .. but don't do it.

I personally, would agree for insurance companies not to insure or cover those that was not "buckled up"..

Be safe,

R/R 911

[Guest]

I find it hypocritical for those that not wear seatbelts. Here we preach it .. but don't do it.

I personally, would agree for insurance companies not to insure or cover those that was not "buckled up"..

Be safe,

R/R 911

But then the families suffer, and the ones that are left behind.

We are excempt to wear belts but Law in Alberta, but company and departments insist to the point of dismissal.

[Ridryder 911]

It is shame that any emergency worker would be exempt, as well as families suffer, but ever action has a consequences.

They same was true on child seats.. Police, Fire, EMS was exempt in my state... until I wrote a bill and pushed into legislation not allowing an exemption. Now, with this I was able to write a special needs grant and purchased every EMS a child seat, that wanted one. So there are no excuses.

If we want to be pillars in the community, we have to at least uphold what we preach. Hard to say "wear your seat-belts.. they save lives" then get into the unit without buckling up. Creditability goes a long way.

It is very heartbreaking that these young men died.. and yes, there are times that moving around etc.. I unfasten to get the map book etc.. but I truthfully I can say 99% of the time I am fastened in in the front. I don't know if it would had changed their outcome... tragic, if it would had. As you can tell the press definitely picked up on it.. again, we need to lead by example. That is why we should not smoke in public view, keep our waist lines down..etc..image is very important.

Be safe,

R/R 911

[bandaidpatrol]

I always found it difficult to wear my belt in the back of the rig. I can't do an IV, reach the supplies or the radio, or get in sight line of the patient if I'm strapped to the wall.

Of course in the cadillac days, they didn't have seat belts in the back at all, unless you requested them. And my employer apparently left that box unchecked.

[sassymedicgirl]

hello all!! this is my first post here and it just happens to be that i worked with Kent and Tim. it is our company policy that seat belts be worn anytime you are in the rig regardless of what you are doing-- i agree with that policy however it is very hard to be buckled in while treating a patient in the back.

it is still unknown rather the guys were wearing there seat belts ( it looks as if they weren't) but i had just worked with Kent a week before the accident and it wasn't like him to not wear it. pieces of the seat belts were found outside the truck so i guess no one will ever know what exactly happened. both funerals were Saturday Feb 19th and today (23rd) there is a huge community memorial service to honor the 2.

everyone please be safe and be careful ! no company should have to go through this its not fair

[Just Plain Ruff]

Sassy, sorry for your services loss. Please accept the entire EMT City's community condolences on this. It is always a terrible thing when one of our own get hurt and even more so when they are killed.

I have known many who have been involved in crashes and some were not hurt, some hurt significantly and others killed. It is a tragedy but it's a risk we all take in and out of the ambulance.

What shocked me on your post was the fact that parts of their seatbelts were found outside the wreckage. MY GOD, how bad of a crash that must have been. How fast were they goin? That is one of my main question. For pieces of the seatbelts to be outside the rig that must have been a horrific crash.

You have the support of this group. Good luck in your healing.

[Guest]

hello all!! this is my first post here and it just happens to be that i worked with Kent and Tim.

Under the circumstances Firstly condolence's and Welcome.

On this very difficult day for yourself and your co-workers I would like to post the words of Emerson.

It is my desire that somehow it may assist those in their time of grief and loss.

To laugh often and love much:

To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;

To earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived......this is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

[MedicNorth]

This is a tragedy. I feel for the families and co-workers of these men. Let's forget the fingerpointing and seatbelt issue for now - These were our own, and they deserve our mourning and respect for the job that they were doing.

[ffpm41]

WEAR YOU F*&^% SEAT BELTS!!! Remember it's their emergency not yours.