Close Call

My EMS partner had a VERY close brush with serious injury or death yesterday. While using our ATV on a mountain bike race race course, he and the other EMT he was working with that day had a brake failure, and they were tossed off the ATV when they attempted to stop by downshifting. Unfortunately, since they were on a hill (and headed down), after they were tossed off, the ATV rolled over them. Steve took the brunt of the rollover on his hip. There were concerns by all of us that he might have a pelvic fracture, but an E.R. evaluation complete with x-rays showed no fractures... thankfully. He will need time for the very deep bruising to heal, but he will be ok.

Those of us in EMS are fully aware of the injuries that can occur with ATV use. We treat people for injuries sustained on them, usually due to excessive speed and maneuvers that should not be attempted on them. Although we are very careful with our rescue vehicles, things can happen.

Of course, we are going to investigate the cause of the brake failure fully before the unit is back in operation. Besides, it needs a little surgery itself, due to the damage it sustained. I am still so thankful that neither of them were seriously injured. They were truly being watched over yesterday.