Investigation: EMTs reported unresponsive woman as dead

Deputies were on scene and saw the woman move and called for the ambulance to come back

April 22, 2016 08:04 AM

The Dickinson Press

UNDERWOOD, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Health has opened an investigation into Underwood Ambulance after emergency medical technicians incorrectly reported an unresponsive woman as dead.

According to the call for service received by the McLean County Dispatch, Underwood Ambulance responded at 2:34 p.m. Saturday to an Underwood home for a report of an unresponsive female. Ambulance staff left and called for the coroner, McLean County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Richard Johnson said.

Johnson said deputies were on scene and saw the woman move and called for the ambulance to come back. The woman was transported to Bismarck, where she died.

Corey Neff, who heads the Underwood Ambulance, on Thursday said he did not wish to comment.

McLean County Coroner Ben Gehring said he’s been the coroner for about 15 years and has worked in the funeral home business for more than 20. He said he has never dealt with a previous case where an ambulance staff believed someone was dead when they were not. A deputy coroner responded to the call on April 16, and Gehring was not involved.

Jennifer Skjod, public information coordinator for the state Department of Health, confirmed the department’s Division of Emergency Medical Systems is investigating the matter. Since the investigation is active, Skjod could not provide any other details. She said the amount of time it can take for such an investigation to conclude varies.

Underwood Ambulance is a volunteer agency and covers 203 square miles around the McLean County city, according to the Department of Health. It offers basic life support and ground ambulance services.