C
Calgon1
Guest
Saturday morning, we had a snowfall here in SE Michigan. Nothing special, just another 1-2 inch dump. As usual, many of the local roads became a bit slippery. Again, nothing out of the ordinary.
About 6:00 am, a local ambulance team (Paramedic and EMT/Driver) were returning from a run. They see a lady spin out on a curve on the interstate. They call it in to central dispatch and go on down to the next crossover. Use their lights and cross the highway. They get to the scene, pull over as trained, blocking access to protect the victim and her vehicle. They get out and approach the lady.
Around the bend, traveling at a high rate of speed (10 over the limit for DRY conditions), comes an idiot in a big ol' SUV. He looses control, flips over and comes to a stop on top of the EMT, crushing and pinning her in the wreckage. It took over 30 minutes for the responding fire department to separate the vehicles, and winch the SUV up, out of the mud and slush the five inches necessary to extricate her mangled body fro the twisted steel. The University Hospital's SurviveFlight helicopter couldn't fly because of the weather, so the flight crew (doctor, nurse and paramedic) loaded in a ground ambulance and headed for the scene. They met Cheryl and her rescuers about halfway. She was pronounced at that time.
Cheryl Kiefer was only 23 yeas old. A former firefighter with the Columbia Township Fire Department (volunteer), this vibrant and energetic young lady had worked part time for Jackson Community Ambulance for about a year and was starting work for her Paramedic degree. She is survived by her parents, a sister and 20,000 brother and sister Michigan firefighters.
The lady who initially spun out? Extricated from her vehicle and transported to the hospital. Minor injuries. Projected full recovery.
The driver of the SUV? Not a scratch. "Charges MAY be pending ...."
I will be at the visitations today and tomorrow, the all-county walk through on Wednesday and the funeral on Thursday. And, I will be doing my best to control my anger!
About 6:00 am, a local ambulance team (Paramedic and EMT/Driver) were returning from a run. They see a lady spin out on a curve on the interstate. They call it in to central dispatch and go on down to the next crossover. Use their lights and cross the highway. They get to the scene, pull over as trained, blocking access to protect the victim and her vehicle. They get out and approach the lady.
Around the bend, traveling at a high rate of speed (10 over the limit for DRY conditions), comes an idiot in a big ol' SUV. He looses control, flips over and comes to a stop on top of the EMT, crushing and pinning her in the wreckage. It took over 30 minutes for the responding fire department to separate the vehicles, and winch the SUV up, out of the mud and slush the five inches necessary to extricate her mangled body fro the twisted steel. The University Hospital's SurviveFlight helicopter couldn't fly because of the weather, so the flight crew (doctor, nurse and paramedic) loaded in a ground ambulance and headed for the scene. They met Cheryl and her rescuers about halfway. She was pronounced at that time.
Cheryl Kiefer was only 23 yeas old. A former firefighter with the Columbia Township Fire Department (volunteer), this vibrant and energetic young lady had worked part time for Jackson Community Ambulance for about a year and was starting work for her Paramedic degree. She is survived by her parents, a sister and 20,000 brother and sister Michigan firefighters.
The lady who initially spun out? Extricated from her vehicle and transported to the hospital. Minor injuries. Projected full recovery.
The driver of the SUV? Not a scratch. "Charges MAY be pending ...."
I will be at the visitations today and tomorrow, the all-county walk through on Wednesday and the funeral on Thursday. And, I will be doing my best to control my anger!