NEAL P. GOSWAMI, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/17/2009 02:59:41 AM EDT
(Bennington Banner)
Wednesday, June 17
BENNINGTON — Emergency responders across the Northeast expressed sorrow Tuesday over the tragic death of a local EMT killed Monday afternoon when the ambulance he was driving struck a tree.
Dale R. Long, 48, was killed in the West Road crash that also sent a 60-year-old female patient he was transporting to Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center via helicopter with life-threatening injuries. A male paramedic riding in the back of the ambulance was treated locally and released, and a female paramedic trainee received treatment for serious, but non-life threatening injuries at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
Bennington Rescue Squad Executive Director Bill Hathaway said emergency responders across New England expressed sorrow Tuesday over Long's death and offered their condolences to Bennington Rescue and Long's family.
"Dale's death is a profound loss for Bennington Rescue," Hathaway said. "We have been contacted by many EMS and public safety groups from around Vermont and New England, and the network of friends and colleagues who are reaching out to express their sympathies has been remarkable."
Hathaway said Long was well-known in the emergency services community because he "was so ingrained in EMS." "That was his life's work," Hathaway said. Long's colleagues plan to hold a memorial service in his honor, but are waiting for more information on the wishes of his family.
"Due to the outpouring of
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support from numerous fire departments, rescue squads and other emergency services from here and other states, I would imagine it would be a large gathering," Hathaway said.
Meanwhile, a memorial was erected Tuesday at the crash site. A simple, wooden cross surrounded by flower arrangements now marks the point of impact between the 2009 Ford E450 Osage Warrior ambulance and a large pine tree near the intersection of West and Hidden Valley Roads. The vacant, sunny crash site on Tuesday was a stark contrast to the previous afternoon, when many of Long's emergency services colleagues gathered at a chaotic scene under heavy rains, thunder and lightning to try to save him.
An American flag was lowered to half-staff Monday evening at the Bennington Rescue Squad's headquarters on McKinley Street. And an EMS flag at the Vermont Emergency Services Memorial in Pittsford also flew Tuesday at half-staff.
Bennington Police Chief Richard Gauthier said police were unable to determine the cause of the crash Tuesday. An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner offered no clues, he said.
"The results that we have so far are inconclusive. They still have some toxicology to do," Gauthier said.
Toxicology results could help police determine the crash was caused by a medical condition, Gauthier said. Such tests are routine, and police do not suspect alcohol or drugs to be a factor, according to Gauthier.
The crash occurred when the ambulance veered right, causing the front passenger side of the ambulance to strike the driver's side front quarter panel of a 2008 Toyota pickup driven by William Hill, Police said. Hill was at a complete stop at the intersection of West and Pleasant Valley Roads.
The impact caused the pickup to spin clockwise, and the ambulance continued moving forward off the travel portion of West Road and into a large pine tree, causing "extensive intrusion" to the driver's seat.
Physical evidence collected at the scene could not explain what caused the ambulance to veer right. Bennington Police Sgt. Lloyd Dean, the department's accident reconstruction specialist, said he will be conducting second interviews with witnesses to try and gather more information. "It's a slow process," he said.
Served for a quarter-century
Long had served as an EMT in the area for about 25 years, spending time with both the Bennington and Manchester rescue squads. His dedication to the job was recognized at both the state and national level.
Hathaway said Long was named the Vermont EMS Advanced Rescuer of the Year in 1998. And he was recently honored as the Bennington Rescue Squad's member of the year, and won the American Ambulance Association's "Star of Life" award last month.
Vermont Sens. Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy met with Long in Washington, D.C., last month when he received the "Star of Life" award. Both senators on Tuesday called Long's death a tragic loss.
"To his family, to his friends and colleagues on the Bennington Rescue Squad and to the town of Bennington which he served so long and so well, I extend my most sincere condolences," Sanders said.
"Dale Long represented much of what is best about Vermont, much what we most honor in our communities. A quarter of a century ago he discovered not only that he could serve his community by working as an Emergency Medical Technician, but that such service could and did enrich his life immeasurably. Assisting others in need, serving the community, dedicating his life to the well-being of others: Dale's commitment mirrors the spirit that has always sustained our towns and our entire state."
Leahy, too, credited Long as being a representative of the best Vermont has to offer.
"As a Vermonter, I have always thought that members of our first-responder community represent the best of our state's tradition of service to others. Dale Long was a solid example of that tradition," Leahy said. "Dale Long had a superb 25-year career as a Vermont EMT, and I encourage all Vermonters to keep his family and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com
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