TWO AMBULANCE WORKERS DIE ON WAY TO EMERGENCY

[MedicNorth]

Can't honestly disagree with you. Yes - no seatbelts, and obviously too much speed. There is a tendency for us to be "heroes" and see ourselves as indestructible. Speed, seatbelts, helmets, even BSI - there are times when they don't seem as important as getting there and doing the job. Is not really smart. That does not, however, detract from the tragedy here.

[Fire Chief]

News When are you guys going to learn to buckle up??

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

[Just Plain Ruff]

Fire Chief did you have a comment?

[Scuba_Steve]

Oddly enough, we were talking about this today at work..........it is always a shame when this happens, and there are so many victims that it has an effect on. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost someone.

[Jon_K]

what a shame.. we are losing guys on duty where i am rapidly.. recetly a good friend of mine named cole was responding to a call and a drunk driver hit his abulance head on. him and his partner never made it to the call.. and right now cole is going through surgery. broken back, broken lg and a hole punchured in his lung.

[somedic]

The bottom line is: Two more EMS responders not "emergency workers", "ambulance drivers, or "rescue workers" died in service to their community. I bet there will be no lowering of flags at NFA or any where else for them because they are EMS.

Somedic Sends

[luke13135]

Lord,

Take me where you want me to go. Let me meet who you want me to meet. Tell me what you want me to say. And keep me out of your way. God Bless All Things.. AMEN