Trending Topics

N.J. EMT dies after 12-hour shift

Egg Harbor Township EMT David M. Austin was known for his dedication to public service

By Eric Conklin
nj.com

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A South Jersey EMT died unexpectedly after finishing a 12-hour shift for the ambulance squad.

Egg Harbor Township Emergency Medical Service on Tuesday announced the death of David Austin, a 30-year technician whose career included tenures on squads in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Austin was 52. His cause of death was not disclosed.

Remembering Austin for his dedication and smartness, Egg Harbor Township’s squad hailed him for his dedication to public service. Austin, at one point in his career, obtained a certification in Pennsylvania and worked briefly for American Medical Response, Inc., a provider of ambulance workers across the country.

He began working for Egg Harbor Township in 2022.

“If you ever had the opportunity to work with Dave you are a lucky one,” Egg Harbor Township EMS said in a statement Tuesday. “Dave possessed a love for helping others and he truly cared for his patients and provided the best care possible.”

Other first responders, members of the public and Shore Medical Center in Somers Point in Atlantic County shared tributes to Austin.

“David was a true hero and a long-time partner with our ER team,” the hospital said in a statement. “He dedicated his life to helping others and saving countless lives as an EMT. His unwavering commitment, kindness, and strength will always be remembered.

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit nj.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending
A private ambulance driven by a relative ran a red light and crashed into another car, leaving an infant dead and the child’s mother hospitalized, police said
Union leaders warn up to 1,500 EMTs and paramedics may leave in 2026 as pay disparities with firefighters worsen staffing shortages and response times
Lillian Bonsignore, the first former EMT to lead the FDNY, reflects on the department’s uneasy 1996 merger with EMS
Programs that send mental health clinicians instead of police to crisis calls are expanding nationwide, but inconsistent funding and limited Medicaid reimbursement threaten their long-term stability