Fiery Crash Rocks Ohio Community

     Three EMS personnel and two patients were killed this July in one of the worst ground ambulance accidents in U.S. history, leaving the Antwerp, OH, EMS community-and their colleagues nationally-reeling from the loss.

     Sammy R. Smith, 64; Heidi McDougall, 31; and Kelly J. Rager, 25, volunteers with Antwerp EMS, were killed July 20 in a collision with a semi that also claimed the lives of their patients, Robert R. Wells, 64, and Armelda Wells, 60, of Hicksville, OH.

     Matt McDougall, 31, the acting president of Antwerp EMS, was hurt in the crash that claimed his wife's life. He was released after treatment at a local hospital. The truck driver, Gerald Chapman, 54, of Indiana, also was hurt.

     The 6:59 p.m. crash occurred while the ambulance was transporting the patients from an unrelated wreck; it was headed south on County Road 87 while the commercial truck was traveling east on CR 176. Initial reports indicated there were no stop signs at the intersection, but the Toledo Blade and Associated Press both reported that the ambulance did have a stop. The Blade quoted a witness who said the ambulance slowed, but didn't stop as it passed the sign into the intersection.

     Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that the tractor-trailer hit the ambulance broadside, rupturing its fuel tank. The ambulance then burst into flames, leaving its wreckage barely recognizable.

     The incident stunned the community of 1,650, where almost everyone is friends or family. Antwerp EMS personnel took a few days off to prepare for the memorial service and grieve. There was no need to put out a call for responders to staff their station-squad members from neighboring jurisdictions were already en route.

     Most Antwerp providers went back to answering calls about five days later, but a few said they'd need more time before climbing back into their ambulances.

     Nearly 3,000 people, including EMS and fire personnel from around the country, turned out to honor the three responders at a funeral held in the local school gym.

     The overwhelming support showed the community the tight brotherhood of the emergency services, says Randy Shaffer, who temporarily assumed McDougall's duties as acting EMS coordinator. Shaffer is also the emergency management director for Paulding County.

     "There were pipers and honor guards from everywhere," Shaffer says. "The FDNY EMS pipers were here. The Allen County (IN) sheriff's office provided a motorcycle escort. Three helicopters did flyovers. The procession stretched for more than four miles."

     In addition to EMS and firefighters, there were many law enforcement agencies represented, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol and police jurisdictions from within Ohio and beyond.

     Supporters also stepped in to help Antwerp EMS recover from its equipment losses.

     Since Shaffer took over, he's been busy coordinating with insurance agents and compiling a list of supplies needed to stock a new ambulance. "Right now, I'm up to $29,000 [in donations], and that doesn't include a cot," he says. "We also want to replace the monitor-defibrillator with a new 12-lead."

     New Haven Adams Township Fire and EMS in nearby Indiana arranged to loan Antwerp an ambulance, and local hospitals indicated they may help the service purchase one, although no formal talks were underway.

     Fire Chief Ray Friend described the support from around the country as unreal. "They say they are feeling our pain," he reported following the crash. "Some have lost members."

     Smith was a member of the fire company as well as the EMS squad. He was driving the ambulance when it crashed.

     "Sammy was always the first guy to show up," Friend said, "whether it was a fire or a detail or a fund-raiser. It didn't make any difference what it was. He didn't hunt or fish. The fire department was a big part of his life.