By Craig Crosby
Portland Press Herald
Copyright 2007 Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
TURNER, Maine — Allan Parsons’ last act was helping someone in need.
Parsons, 46, a paramedic from Wilton, was treating a patient in the back of a Med-Care ambulance early Thursday when the vehicle collided with a pickup truck on Route 4 in Turner, according to Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy Desjardins.
Parsons was pronounced dead at the scene.
The unidentified patient was rushed to the hospital with two other people: Arlene Greenleaf, 68, of Bethel, who was driving the ambulance, and the driver of the pickup truck, Christopher Boutin, 29, of Turner.
“Med-Care employees are going through a tough time coping with the loss of a close friend and colleague, as well as serious injury to another,” Dean Milligan, director of operations for Med-Care Ambulance Service, said in a written statement.
“Many emergency service agencies have contacted us with offers to send personnel and equipment, but at the present time, we are fully staffed with our personnel wanting to be on duty and continuing to provide services to our communities and citizens.”
The crash occurred at the intersection of Potato Road and Route 4 a little after 3 a.m., Desjardins said.
Greenleaf and Parsons, who were based in Mexico, were taking a patient from Rumford to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston when Boutin pulled his full-size Chevy pickup out in front of the ambulance, police say.
“A witness stated the ambulance’s emergency lights were on and the pickup truck was crossing Route 4 from Potato Road to Lone Pine Road when the accident occurred,” Desjardins said.
Greenleaf was removed from the ambulance with an extricating device. Boutin was ejected from the truck during the crash, Desjardins said.
Greenleaf was listed in fair condition at Central Maine Medical Center after undergoing surgery, Milligan said.
Officials at the hospital confirmed Thursday that Boutin was a patient there but declined to give his condition. Initial reports indicated he suffered multiple injuries, including head trauma, Desjardins said.
He had no information on the patient who was riding in the ambulance.
It was the kind of crash that could have claimed more lives, Desjardins said.
“It was a violent collision,” he said.
A reconstructionist from the Maine State Police was called to help investigate the accident, Desjardins said. Route 4 was closed to traffic between Lower Street and County Road for about five hours while police conducted the investigation.
It was too early Thursday to know whether speed or other factors contributed to the crash, Desjardins said.
“We haven’t ruled anything out yet,” he said.
Counselors from the critical incident stress debriefing team were called to talk to Parsons’ coworkers, Milligan said.
“Emergency medical service providers are a close-knit community,” he said. “Continuing to help others is the best medicine for them right now.”
Emergency crews from Turner Fire and Rescue, Auburn Fire Department and United Ambulance Service assisted at the accident scene. Motorists who saw the accident also stopped to helped the injured, Desjardins said.
Anyone who stopped or saw the accident is encouraged to call Detective Sgt. William Gagne at 800-492-0737 or 784-7361, extension 214.
“We’d really appreciate it if they would contact Sergeant Gagne as soon as possible,” Desjardins said. “You never know if someone has seen something that could help us out in the investigation.”