Paramedic dies from injuries sustained in ambulance wreck
by Winston Jones/Douglas County Sentinel
7 months ago | 3318 views | 9 9 comments | 22 22 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Flags at Douglas County Fire Station No. 5 fly at half-staff Monday following the death of Paul Holmes, 37, who died early Monday morning from injuries suffered in a Saturday night ambulance-car collision on Anneewakee Road. Holmes was a paramedic on the Station 5 rescue unit. (Sentinel photo by Winston Jones)
Flags at Douglas County Fire Station No. 5 fly at half-staff Monday following the death of Paul Holmes, 37, who died early Monday morning from injuries suffered in a Saturday night ambulance-car collision on Anneewakee Road. Holmes was a paramedic on the Station 5 rescue unit. (Sentinel photo by Winston Jones)
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A Douglas County paramedic, injured in a late Saturday night crash between an ambulance and another vehicle, died early Monday morning at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Paul Holmes, 37, of Dallas, was airlifted to Grady shortly after the 11:30 p.m. accident on Anneewakee Road, according to Wes Tallon, county communications and community relations director. He died about 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Tallon said Holmes was riding in an ambulance which was answering a call to a vehicle fire with injuries on Anneewakee Road. The ambulance had its lights and siren going when it was involved in the collision with the other vehicle, he said. Witnesses reported the ambulance turned over several times, ejecting Holmes from the vehicle.

The ambulance driver, Daniel Young, was taken to WellStar Douglas Hospital, where he was treated for injuries and released. He was recovering at home Monday, Tallon said.

The unidentified female driver of the automobile was taken to Atlanta Medical Center, treated for injuries and released, according to Tallon. She was the only occupant in her vehicle.

Georgia State Patrol (GSP) spokesman Paul Cosper said Monday that the GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash. He said their findings will be turned over to the Douglas County District Attorney to determine if charges will be filed.

Holmes had served with the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department since May 2008. He completed firefighter training Dec. 3 with the first class to graduate from the new county fire training facility off Cedar Mountain Road. All department personnel are cross-trained in both emergency medical and firefighting courses, Tallon said.

“Paramedics and firefighters are a special breed of people who live to save others’ lives,” said Douglas County Fire Chief Scott Spencer. “Paul trained as a paramedic and firefighter to achieve that goal, and he lost his life in pursuit of it. He will be missed, and the entire emergency services community mourns our loss.”

“Serving as a fireman/paramedic/EMT is a calling and those who respond to the call put their lives on the line every day,” said Commission Chairman Tom Worthan. “Paul was responding to someone who needed aid, and in doing so, he lost his own life. This is unselfish service at the highest level, and we’ll remember Paul’s spirit.”

Holmes is survived by his wife, Jamie, and his 4-year-old daughter, Alexandria. Whitley-Garner Rosehaven Funeral Home in Douglasville is in charge of arrangements, which were incomplete late Monday afternoon.

Tallon said Holmes will be memorialized with full fire department honors.

Worthan ordered flags at all county facilities Monday to be flown at half-staff until dusk on the day of Holmes’ funeral.

“We’ve been receiving calls all day from other city and county fire departments, offering to send equipment and staff to answer our calls so all the firefighters can attend the funeral,” Tallon said.

He said a memorial fund will be established for Holmes’ family.

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comments (9)
« meohme wrote on Thursday, Jan 07 at 06:44 AM »
It would appear he was not wearing his seat belt. Despite who is falt in this MVC I can only think he would still be alive today if he was only wearing his seat belt. His partner survived and I can only draw on a conclusion that his partner had his seat belt on. I will give that it is possible that he did have his seat belt on and one of the many things up front in an ambulance could have hit just right to cause his belt to come unbuckled. Freak things happen. My guess though is he was not.
« Tank1969 wrote on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 02:56 PM »
Forgive me, Distraught
« Tank1969 wrote on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 02:55 PM »
Ok Folks. Gina, I ran the call that resulted in Pauls death. And......I agree totally with you. This was an ACCIDENT. I lost a brother in the accident, and yes, people need to pay more attention, but please, I knew Paul and I also know that he held no ill will toward this girl. She is immensely distraut I am sure. We do not have to demonize every person that makes a mistake. We have lost a brother and as a member of his large, worldwide family in the brotherhood, I ask for his sake that we focus on the things that matter. Hug your children, kiss your spouse. Make sure they know you love them. Pauls wife and daughter knew that in their bones. And like I said, I knew Paul, I held his hand before placing him in the chopper. He would say the same thing. God bless you Paul, Rest in peace brother. We love you and miss you.
« Tank1969 wrote on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 02:50 PM »
« BrotherFF wrote on Wednesday, Dec 30 at 10:29 AM »
RIP Paul...Love ya Mean it!
« Gina82 wrote on Tuesday, Dec 29 at 11:30 PM »
What does the privacy of the drivers name have to do with anything? Do you not think she is going through enough as it is? Do you need her name to place more blame, or to continue to judge the actions of her, and even the driver of the ambulance? Who are any of us to judge any of the parties in this ACCIDENT? Were you there when the collision occurred? Unless you were, you have no room to make any comments other than to send your sympathy to all parties involved in the ACCIDENT. The investigation is not complete at this time. When it is and the DA has made a determination, then and only then, can any of you make any comments other than to send your thoughts and prayers. However, even once the investigation is completed, none of us will have any room to judge anyone. There is only one person that all of us have to answer to and that is God. I know that I do not want to be standing before him and have him question why I made the comments I made when I was not there and have no room to talk.
« Lee27 wrote on Tuesday, Dec 29 at 11:50 AM »
My prayers are with his family and co-workers. Such a tragedy that did not have to happen.

While I and other morn the loss of this fine man, I am bothered by the media's protection of the female driver whose actions are the cause of this man's death. What is so special about this female driver that her name has not been made public??
« chevyblue wrote on Tuesday, Dec 29 at 09:07 AM »
Paul was a great guy!... He worked in Brevard County FL and moved to GA so he could raise his daughter in a smaller town. He always had a sweet smile and was always willing to work extra for anyone. This has sadden his medical family here. Our prayers are with his family and his co workers.
« whitelily wrote on Tuesday, Dec 29 at 08:27 AM »
Sadly I see people all of the time ignoring the sirens and lights of emergency vehicles. Parents , teach your young drivers the importance of yielding to an emergency vehicle. I myself say a quick little prayer for the people who they are responding to as I pull out of the way. I have had my own family in the ambulance many times and know what that feeling is . God Bless this young family left behind, may you find peace at this painful time.