
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 18, 1995                   TAG: 9507180093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ACCIDENT VICTIM GETS HIT AGAIN IN AMBULANCE

An ambulance carrying the victim of an accident in Montgomery County to a hospital in Roanoke was smashed into and overturned by a car as it passed through a crowded Salem intersection Monday evening.

"It looked like [the ambulance] was knocked off all four wheels," said Michelle McLeod of Roanoke, who was waiting in traffic at the intersection when the crash occurred.

The Shawsville Volunteer Rescue Squad ambulance was on Apperson Drive heading east near Virginia 419 shortly after 6 p.m. with its lights and siren on, McLeod said.

Jeremy Howard, 17, a rescue squad member who was riding in the passenger seat of the ambulance, said his crew was transporting a woman who had suffered a head injury and a broken arm in a wreck in Elliston just a few minutes before.

Ambulance driver Pug Wells stopped at the intersection, blew the horn and drove across slowly, Howard said. That's when a large sedan headed north on Virginia 419 slammed into it, tipping it over and spinning it sideways.

Howard had just moved to the front seat to operate the radio when he felt the impact. He hadn't even had time to put on his safety belt.

"I looked through the hole, and everyone in the back was on the roof," Howard said. He landed on top of the driver.

McLeod said the car had the green light, but all other traffic at the intersection had stopped.

"I guess he was in a third lane and just couldn't see us," Howard said.

McLeod said when the back doors of the ambulance were opened, the rescue workers inside were staggering around.

"They were pretty shaken up," she said.

In all, six people were taken to Lewis-Gale and Roanoke Memorial hospitals.

According to Howard, Wells had a dislocated shoulder and David Smith and a fireman who were riding in the rear of the ambulance had back injuries. Howard had a minor neck injury.

The patient in the ambulance had serious injuries, according to Gray, but it was hard to tell if the second accident exacerbated the injuries she sustained in the first. Her name and the name of the Salem driver were not available.

The accident still was being investigated Monday night. Gray said the commonwealth's attorney would be consulted about whether to file any charges.

Late Monday night, Howard, aching neck and all, was back at the Shawsville crew hall.

"I just wanted to see if everyone was OK," he said.

by CNB