Maine medics cleared in skier's death
Described skier's death as an unavoidable tragedy under the circumstances, saying believed the investigation found emergency responders did "everything possible" to save skier's life
By David F. Robinson
FARMINGTON, Maine — The state office that oversees emergency medical services has dismissed the complaints against an ambulance service that cared for David Morse, who died en route to the hospital after a skiing accident at the Sugarloaf ski resort earlier this year.
The Maine Emergency Medical Services on Wednesday released the findings of its investigation into allegations by Morse's wife, Dana Morse. She claimed the NorthStar ambulance crew that treated her husband after the accident did not care for him properly.
The investigation looked into the emergency response after David Morse skied off a trail and hit a tree about 3:45 p.m. Jan. 12 and followed the response until after Morse, 41, of Harmony, Nova Scotia, died shortly after 5 p.m. en route to the hospital.
Among the reports findings, the ambulance service has been cleared of any violations of state emergency medical service rules or statutes in connection with the care provided to Morse.
Investigators also confirmed that Dana Morse had been riding in the ambulance taking her husband to the hospital and was dropped off alongside the road in a snowstorm a short distance into the trip, the report states.
When her husband died, the ambulance returned to the ski resort rather than continue to the hospital, about 45 miles away, the report states, adding Dana Morse traveled to the hospital in another vehicle, unaware that her husband had died.
Jay Bradshaw, director of Maine Emergency Medical Services, a division of the state Department of Public Safety, said Wednesday that the ambulance service will face no penalties or sanctions as a result of the investigation.
Bradshaw described Morse's death as an unavoidable tragedy under the circumstances, saying he believes the investigation found emergency responders did "everything possible" to save his life.
Bradshaw noted the skiing accident happened in a remote area during a snowstorm, making it difficult to get Morse to the nearest hospital in Farmington, at least an hour's drive from the ski resort in Carrabassett Valley.
The nearest trauma center, Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, is at least a two-hour drive away, and the snowstorm prevented LifeFlight helicopters from responding, the report states.
The investigation consisted of a series of witness interviews and reviews of official reports by the various emergency response agencies involved, Bradshaw said.
Investigators made no findings about Dana Morse getting dropped off, which is a situation that did not violate state protocols, Bradshaw said.
"It's awful that this happened, but there is nothing that speaks to that in Maine EMS protocols," he said of the scenario.
Because the ambulance crew was treating the patient in the back, a ski patrol member was driving the ambulance and let Dana Morse get out alongside the road, the report states.
Bradshaw said it's impossible to know the details about the discussion between Morse and the ski patrol member, which led to her getting dropped off less than a mile into the trip.
"There was a lot of confusion. We don't know for certain what type of discussion took place," Bradshaw said.
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Marty Munro Friday, April 06, 2012 7:57:29 PM I have been following this one. So, the paramedics did everything they could to save him, despite allegations from a family member that states the exact opposite. Hmmm....why does this sound familiar? Oh ya, because everyone and their mother knows how to provide prehospital care better than the trained professionals, and when the professionals don't do what an untrained person wants them to do, they must "not know what they are doing". My partner and I have a rule: no family members in the ambulance unless it is absolutely necessary. Examples would include but are not limited to......for translation or in order to potentially sign a consent form at the hospital. We are not a taxi service for family members. I don't know why family members believe it is their right to come in the ambulance. 
Thomas Horne Saturday, April 07, 2012 11:58:02 AM Marty
I would not say that we have a rule but I do tell family members that under no circumstances will we provide transportation back from the hospital. Also because there is no National Highway Transportation Safety Administration accepted passenger seating in the back of the unit they will only ride in back with an infant or prepubescent child. Getting the truth out of teenagers is very difficult even without their Mom or Dad being present. So that is the reason that I like to keep the parents of anyone over twelve separate from their child while we are trying to get a real history out of teenage patients. Marty Munro Sunday, April 08, 2012 8:52:33 PM Mr. Horne, I agree, I have never denied a parent from coming with their young child. One time I almost did, and came close to having to remove the child from the mother under the Child and Family Services Act, however, we finally allowed her tom come, but made her sit up front. I also believe that if the 911 call was placed and the patient is clearly not an emergency, then there is no reason to take a family member in the abulance. Many people believe that we are a taxi service that the hospital provides, so to prove a point, I tell them that we only take patients. They then ask me "well, how am I going to get to the hospital?" I reply "you're not the patient, you are not required to go to the hospital, but if you feel as though you need to be there, you can drive your personal vehicle, or you can call a taxi." 
