Missouri EMT Collapses, Dies on Duty

An EMT from Missouri collapsed and died on duty Friday.

About 5 p.m., George Beeler, 67, told a co-worker at Slater Ambulance District that he was having chest pains.

After his condition deteriorated in the ambulance, fellow co-workers called for help, bringing volunteers from the Slate Fire Department, said David Taylor, an EMT.

En route to the hospital, the ambulance crew called for an ALS unit to meet them. Beeler went into cardiac arrest before he arrived.

In addition to working at Slater Ambulance, he also worked at Howard County Ambulance Service. He had been a long-time volunteer at Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department.

"He was a kick-back guy. He didn't get too excited about much. He just went with the flow," Taylor said. "He was a real nice guy."

Beeler is survived by his wife and seven children, including a son who is a paramedic. "He (the son) worked here for a while too. Sometimes the father and son crew worked together. They enjoyed doing that."

In honor of his fire service, the Glasgow Fire Department retired his designated radio number -- 218.

"It was a very nice gesture," said Eric Beeler.

It was Eric who got his father started in EMS. "I heard they were having an EMT class. I told him they needed people, and it would be fun to take it together."

Fire departments and ambulance squads from neighboring jurisdictions sent personnel and apparatus to Beeler's funeral on Monday.

Inclement weather prevented two helicopters from doing fly-overs. Instead, their personnel paid their respects on the ground.