Patient in ambulance struck in accident dies at hospital

By Cristina Chang

Published Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 | 11:46 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 | 1:26 p.m.

A woman who was being transported in a MedicWest ambulance that rolled over onto its side after an accident this morning in the northwestern valley has died, according to North Las Vegas officials.

Police received a call at 10:38 a.m. of a red pickup truck striking a MedicWest ambulance at the intersection of West Craig Road and North Decatur Boulevard, said Metro Police spokesperson Laura Meltzer. The ambulance rolled onto its side, leaving the patient inside in even greater harm, she said.

A total of six patients were transported from the accident. Two North Las Vegas male firefighters and two MedicWest male personnel were transported to UMC Trauma in stable condition, according to Capt. Cedric Williams, North Las Vegas Fire spokesman. The critical patient, who was in the ambulance at the time of the accident, was transported to Mountain View Hospital, where she died a short while later. The other patient who was in the small truck was transported to UMC in serious condition.

Immediately afer the accident, the two firefighters who were in the back of the ambulance, pulled the patient out of the vehicle, ignored their own conditions and continued working on the paitent until further assistance arrived.

All traffic headed north on Decatur is being directed east on Craig Road, and all traffic headed east on Craig Road is being directed south on Decatur. Drivers are advised to avoid this area for the next several hours while the accident is under investigation.

Metro Police is investigating.