Florida Paramedic Critically Injured in Off-Duty Response

A good Samaritan is in critical condition after trying to help out an injured motorcyclist.

Police said that a witness saw the motorcycle rider lose control and crash on Lem Turner Road before 6 a.m. and stopped his car.

The witness, who is also a paramedic, rushed to help the injured man, kneeling down trying to help the rider when he was struck by another vehicle.

Both men were taken to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center and were reported to be in critical condition. The names of the rider and the paramedic were not immediately available.

Police told Channel 4's Nikki Preede that speed was not a factor in the accident and the driver of the car did not see the men because it was still dark outside and they were wearing dark clothes.

"You've got a concerned, conscious individual who's trained to help people in these instances finding himself struggling for his life, as well," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Ken Jefferson said.

The southbound lanes of Lem Turner were closed for about two hours while the accident was investigated and cleared.

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