EMS PRO INDUSTRY NEWS
St. Louis Children’s Hospital was near- ly 75 miles away. Ground transport would have easily taken 90 minutes, maybe more. Air Evac 8, piloted by Tony Zarcone, was able to deliver Andrew to the trauma center in roughly 40 minutes. The timesaving would prove crucial to Andrew’s outcome. In this case, trans- port by air not only saved valuable time, but also allowed the patient’s care to begin immediately. Flight Nurse Preston Midgett and Paramedic Brian Watson were in constant contact with the trauma team at Children’s.
left to right: Torrie Young, Bill Young, Air Evac #8 Pilot Tony Zarcone, Flight Paramedic Brian Watson, Andrew Young, Flight Nurse Preston Midgett, Air Evac President Seth Myers and Trauma Program Director Diana Kraus RN of St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Missouri Teen Thanks Air Evac Crew By Ron Whitney
It is not often when the crew of an air medical helicopter are invited to an event such as the annual Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) to be thanked by one of their patients. But that was just the case on October 17, 2011 in room 241 at America’s Center Convention Center in St. Louis.
Andrew’s Story
Bonne Terre teenager Andrew Young’s day began much like any other school day. Promptly at 7:35am he left the family home in his 1997 truck headed for school, just like any other school day. A short time later Andrew’s day would take a tragic turn. At an infamously dan- gerous intersection just down the road from his home a semi truck had crushed Andrew’s truck.
“I remember hearing the sirens just down the road, it sounded like a lot of them”, stated Torrie Young, Andrew’s mother. Worried, she called the school
8 December 2011
and asked if Andrew had arrived yet. He hadn’t. Torrie then got into her car and sped off in the direction of the sirens. A short distance away she came upon a line of cars and other vehicles stopped for an accident. Hoping to find Andrew’s truck simply stuck in the long line of waiting cars, Torrie ran toward the scene. Upon reaching the wreck Torrie realized every mother’s nightmare, her child had been trapped in a mass of metal that barely resembled Andrew’s truck, and rescue workers were in the process of extricating young Andrew.
Quickly realizing that the severity of Andrew’s injuries would require trans- port to St. Louis, first responders called for Air Evac 8. Based in Farmington, MO, Air Evac 8 was alerted and enroute to the scene. Shortly after arrival at the scene and upon assessing Andrew’s condition, the Air Evac medical crew determined that St. Louis Children’s Hospital was the most appropriate receiving hospital.
A Heartwarming Reunion
Andrew’s injuries were significant and life threatening. Initial examinations and scans revealed he had a C-4 fracture of the neck, spinal chord injury, and traumatic brain injury. Enduring eight hours of surgery to place titanium rods to stabilize his spinal chord, Andrew’s future was uncertain at best. It would be at least 72 hours until his parents would learn if their son would recover, or even be able to move again. The traumatic brain injury presented even more com- plications.
A few days later would come a sign that maybe Andrew would not be totally paralyzed after all. A simple movement of his arm brought great relief to Bill and Torrie. On June 2, 2011 Andrew was transferred to The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis where he would begin a long and arduous course of treatment. Being a strong willed athlete prior to his accident no doubt played a role in Andrew’s rehabilitation. On September 18 Andrew was discharged and walked out the front door of The Rehabilitation Institute.
From the Heart
The following month Andrew had the opportunity to meet the crew of Air Evac 8 for the first time since the accident. Walking strong, Andrew approached the podium in front of the room and stood behind the microphone.
“I don’t remember riding in the heli- copter that morning,” said Andrew at the gathering. “They told me you took very good care of me and got me to the hospi- tal real fast. I want to thank you for help- ing save my life”. An extraordinary effort, by an extraordinary young man. EMS
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