Ind. responder killed in head-on crash
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| Special Note: The year has just begun and we are already facing a tremendous impact of LODDs for EMS and fire. These tragedies in both Ind. and N.Y. are simple but deadly reminders of the sacrifices and dedication all of us put on the line each time we respond to that call. I encourage everyone who is directly affected by these two deaths to embrace and encourage each others’ emotional reactions. Focus on a step-by step approach of getting through these very difficult days. Know that you all are in my and the many others in the EMS community’s prayers, thoughts and well wishes. — Daniel McGuire, In the Line of Duty | ||||||
By Amy Bartner
The Indianapolis Star
Copyright 2008 The Indianapolis Star
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Brown Township Fire Capt. David Sherfick, 40, Mooresville, and James R. Hoskins, 45, Nashville, were pronounced dead at the crash scene in northern Morgan County.
Sherfick was driving a Brown Township ambulance west on Ind. 144, east of Mann Road, just before 4 p.m. The ambulance was returning after transporting a patient to Indianapolis. Witnesses told police the Jeep driven by Hoskins, which was headed east on Ind. 144, crossed the center line at Mann Road, said Madison Township Fire Department spokesman Lt. Tim Clifford.
Sherfick’s death has hit his co-workers hard, Clifford said.
“It’s never easy,” Clifford said. “I liken it to family because we are family. We all do this job because we love to help people.”
Reserve firefighter Evan Kerkhof, 22, Mooresville, also was in the ambulance and was injured but was in good condition at Methodist Hospital, Clifford said.
The ambulance did not have its sirens or lights flashing at the time of the crash, he said.
At least six agencies responded, and a stretch of Ind. 144 was closed for several hours. Emergency response crews were still on the scene three hours after the crash.
“I can’t say enough good things about him,” Clifford said of Sherfick. “He will be truly missed by anyone who knew him and who worked with him.
“The healing process is something that is going to take a long time.”
There were 22 fatal ambulance crashes in the U.S. in 2006, according to The Fatal Accident Reporting System.
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