By Rick Brundrett
The State (Columbia, South Carolina)
A Richland County paramedic collapsed Saturday after responding to a stabbing scene and died a short time later, authorities said.
Lt. Woodford “Woody” King, 42, of Irmo, died at 8:13 a.m. Saturday at Palmetto Health Richland, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. An autopsy was scheduled for today.
King had responded to a stabbing that occurred about 7 a.m. Saturday at Broad River Terrace apartments at 3245 Lucius Road, Columbia police spokeswoman Lauren Leach said.
Richland County Emergency Services spokesman George Rice said King was backing up a paramedic crew treating a patient and collapsed at the scene after the patient was transported to the hospital.
Paramedics and Columbia police officers worked to revive King before he was taken to the hospital, where he died, Rice said.
King, who was employed by Richland County Emergency Services for 22 years, was a “passionate caregiver who is responsible for saving thousands of lives,” department director Michael Byrd said in a prepared statement. Funeral arrangements for King were pending.
The stabbing victim, Terranio McNeil, 31, was admitted to Palmetto Health Richland with life-threatening injuries, Leach said. A condition report was unavailable Saturday night.
McNeil was stabbed twice in the back and cut across the face with a kitchen knife in his apartment, Leach said. His live-in girlfriend, Lillie A. Jackson, 28, was arrested on a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill, Leach said.