EMSA Investigates, Learns Following Ambulance Crashes in Okla.

Dec. 05--Per routine procedure, EMSA is conducting its own review of Tuesday's crash involving an ambulance and the extrication of the driver from a pickup.

Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, a green pickup crossed the center line and collided with an EMSA ambulance near the W. Edmond Road-State Street intersection, Edmond Police Department spokeswoman Jenny Monroe said in a previous report.

The 17-year-old driver of the pickup was transported to OU Medical Center's Presbyterian Tower in Oklahoma City, Monroe said. Fire rescue personnel used a variety of tools to extricate him from the severely damaged truck.

Monroe said the teen's injuries were non-life threatening. A passenger in the pickup was not injured and left the scene with a parent, Monroe said.

"We are lucky that is the case," she said. "It could have been much worse."

Monroe said crash investigators still have some work to do before issuing any citations.

EMSA spokeswoman Lara O'Leary said two EMSA personnel and a student were transported in good condition to a local hospital, treated for bumps and bruises and released.

At the time of the crash, the five-ton ambulance was in the process of pre-positioning for the next call, O'Leary said. Per routine procedure, when word of the crash came in, another ambulance was immediately dispatched to the scene, O'Leary said.

EMSA contracts with a private ambulance service to provide emergency medical care and dispatching. O'Leary said the agency owns and operates 55 ambulances in central Oklahoma and 45 in northeast Oklahoma, where the population is slightly lower.

After any crash, EMSA has procedures in place for personnel to follow including sending a supervisor to the scene, conducting its own investigation and working closely with local law enforcement, O'Leary said. The review includes determining cause and implementing changes if needed, O'Leary said.

Medics complete thorough training including how to handle anambulance, O'Leary said.

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