Oologah-Talala EMS District

NEWS from OTEMS

Providing excellence in Emergency Medical Services for Will Rogers Country

For Immediate Release

January 20, 2007

Contact John Wylie, Public Information Officer

918-629-9220

FALLING ICE CAUSES TWO INJURIES, ENDANGERS CHILDREN

 OOLOGAH—OTEMS ambulance service today issued a warning about falling ice after treating two patients, one with serious injuries, who were hit by falling ice in separate incidents.

One case “could have been a major tragedy” for three children who were with the victim.

 “People need to be extremely careful, because ice can fall with no warning from roofs, trees, light poles, awnings or the tops of trucks,” said Andy Hudson, director of the Oologah-Talala Emergency Medical Services District.

 An OTEMS advanced life support unit was called to an Oologah apartment complex about 10:15 a.m. today. Medics found a man on the floor in severe pain and unable to move.

 “The victim, who is in his 40s, had been moving into the apartment on Tuesday. When he closed the back door of the truck he was using to move furniture, ice fell from the top of the truck onto him, striking his head and shoulders. He did not seek medical care then, but treated himself with over-the-counter medications for pain.

“He felt progressively worse and today he collapsed in his apartment. When paramedics arrived he was unable to move and was suffering other severe medical problems. He was taken to St. John Owasso hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of head and back injuries. An official condition report is not available,” Hudson said.

Despite the bad weather, Hudson said anyone who needs emergency medical attention should call for an ambulance rather than waiting until the problem becomes more critical.

“We are here and ready to respond. We don’t want people to feel they cannot call for help because of the bad weather,” he said.

In the other incident, a woman came to OTEMS Station 1 in downtown Oologah earlier this week for treatment of cuts and bruises.

“She had been going into a home and ice fell on her head,” Hudson said. “We treated her for lacerations to her head and shoulders.

“Two of her grandchildren had just entered the house before her and she was carrying a third in her arms. That could have been really tragic. If that had hit them it would have been pretty significant—we’re talking about ice three or four inches thick--very heavy.”

The victim did not require hospital treatment.

Hudson said both pedestrians and drivers need to take extra care. Both injury incidents in Oologah involved ice falling on pedestrians. However, many drivers have reported large blocks of ice falling from trucks in front of them on roads and highways.

The most common results of falling ice are head and back injuries, followed by secondary fall injuries. Anyone assisting a victim should immediately call 911, then try to keep the victim warm, dry and still.

“If there are possible head or neck injuries, it is best not to move the victim until an ambulance arrives unless it is essential to avoid danger of more ice falling. Be especially careful not to move the patient in a way that changes the position of the head or neck,” Hudson said.

OTEMS is a tax-supported district which provides emergency medical care to a 180-square mile area including Oologah, Talala and rural Claremore. It operates Advanced Life Support units (ALS) from stations in Oologah and just north of Claremore. For further information, visit our website at www.otems.com.

OTEMS is a tax-supported district which provides emergency medical care to a 180-square mile area of Rogers County including Oologah, Talala and rural Claremore. It operates Advanced Life Support units (ALS) from stations in Oologah and just north of Claremore. For further information, visit our website at www.otems.com.

OOLOGAH-TALALA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DISTRICT

PO Box 165, Oologah, OK 74053-0165 - website: www.otems.com - 918-443-2350                

 Station 1: Historic Downtown Oologah  HQ - Station 2: Lowery Rd and Industrial Blvd.