Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Woman Dies After Rescue Boat Sinks On Connecticut River Woman Strapped To Backboard On Boat POSTED: 12:02 am EDT August 23, 2006 UPDATED: 12:09 pm EDT August 23, 2006 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. -- A Vermont woman died on Tuesday afternoon in what investigators said was a river rescue tragedy. Virginia Yates, 60, of Rockingham, Vt., was boating on the Connecticut River between town, N.H. and Springfield, Vt. Friends said Yates was injured when she was walking up a dock, missed a step and fell. Because the riverbank was so steep, the decision was made to take her to an ambulance by boat. A rescue boat from Cornish, N.H., with four people on board went and picked up the woman to bring her to an ambulance waiting downstream. The woman was strapped on to a backboard. During the transport, the boat began taking on water and sank. Yates disappeared into the water. " The boat swamped and the emergency personnel were unable to recover Miss Yates until some time later, and she's passed, " said Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway. There were no other injuries. The rescue boat remained underwater on Tuesday night about 200 feet from shore. Investigators raised the boat on Wednesday morning and were trying to determine why it took on water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Died strapped to a backboard, assuming here she was conscious what a horrible way to die (as if there were good ways?). I have to wonder and ask, what a good lawyer for the plaintiff will do with the kinds of data that we have seen regarding the need for the use of a backboard here in the US and in the UK? This has to be in the top 5 of worst ways to die! -- Lou Molino, Sr. FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI From the road some where Horrible Way to Die--Strapped to BackBoard Woman Dies After Rescue Boat Sinks On Connecticut River Woman Strapped To Backboard On Boat POSTED: 12:02 am EDT August 23, 2006 UPDATED: 12:09 pm EDT August 23, 2006 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. -- A Vermont woman died on Tuesday afternoon in what investigators said was a river rescue tragedy. Virginia Yates, 60, of Rockingham, Vt., was boating on the Connecticut River between town, N.H. and Springfield, Vt. Friends said Yates was injured when she was walking up a dock, missed a step and fell. Because the riverbank was so steep, the decision was made to take her to an ambulance by boat. A rescue boat from Cornish, N.H., with four people on board went and picked up the woman to bring her to an ambulance waiting downstream. The woman was strapped on to a backboard. During the transport, the boat began taking on water and sank. Yates disappeared into the water. " The boat swamped and the emergency personnel were unable to recover Miss Yates until some time later, and she's passed, " said Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway. There were no other injuries. The rescue boat remained underwater on Tuesday night about 200 feet from shore. Investigators raised the boat on Wednesday morning and were trying to determine why it took on water Visit our website at www.paramedicine.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Not that we have many of the facts, but I was wondering what the extent of her injuries were and whether they panicked and *didn't* release her from the backboard when the water started coming in. Were they EMT's with her in the boat? Vaughn Ohlman Horrible Way to Die--Strapped to BackBoard Woman Dies After Rescue Boat Sinks On Connecticut River Woman Strapped To Backboard On Boat POSTED: 12:02 am EDT August 23, 2006 UPDATED: 12:09 pm EDT August 23, 2006 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. -- A Vermont woman died on Tuesday afternoon in what investigators said was a river rescue tragedy. Virginia Yates, 60, of Rockingham, Vt., was boating on the Connecticut River between town, N.H. and Springfield, Vt. Friends said Yates was injured when she was walking up a dock, missed a step and fell. Because the riverbank was so steep, the decision was made to take her to an ambulance by boat. A rescue boat from Cornish, N.H., with four people on board went and picked up the woman to bring her to an ambulance waiting downstream. The woman was strapped on to a backboard. During the transport, the boat began taking on water and sank. Yates disappeared into the water. " The boat swamped and the emergency personnel were unable to recover Miss Yates until some time later, and she's passed, " said Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway. There were no other injuries. The rescue boat remained underwater on Tuesday night about 200 feet from shore. Investigators raised the boat on Wednesday morning and were trying to determine why it took on water Visit our website at www.paramedicine.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 I just have one comment, being one who has done water rescue and wanted a backboard to go under water and it just wouldnt. Backboards float so how did it sink. lnmolino@... wrote: Died strapped to a backboard, assuming here she was conscious what a horrible way to die (as if there were good ways?). I have to wonder and ask, what a good lawyer for the plaintiff will do with the kinds of data that we have seen regarding the need for the use of a backboard here in the US and in the UK? This has to be in the top 5 of worst ways to die! -- Lou Molino, Sr. FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI From the road some where Horrible Way to Die--Strapped to BackBoard Woman Dies After Rescue Boat Sinks On Connecticut River Woman Strapped To Backboard On Boat POSTED: 12:02 am EDT August 23, 2006 UPDATED: 12:09 pm EDT August 23, 2006 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. -- A Vermont woman died on Tuesday afternoon in what investigators said was a river rescue tragedy. Virginia Yates, 60, of Rockingham, Vt., was boating on the Connecticut River between town, N.H. and Springfield, Vt. Friends said Yates was injured when she was walking up a dock, missed a step and fell. Because the riverbank was so steep, the decision was made to take her to an ambulance by boat. A rescue boat from Cornish, N.H., with four people on board went and picked up the woman to bring her to an ambulance waiting downstream. The woman was strapped on to a backboard. During the transport, the boat began taking on water and sank. Yates disappeared into the water. " The boat swamped and the emergency personnel were unable to recover Miss Yates until some time later, and she's passed, " said Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway. There were no other injuries. The rescue boat remained underwater on Tuesday night about 200 feet from shore. Investigators raised the boat on Wednesday morning and were trying to determine why it took on water Visit our website at www.paramedicine.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 In a message dated 8/23/2006 5:14:23 PM Central Standard Time, lnmolino@... writes: Died strapped to a backboard, assuming here she was conscious what a horrible way to die (as if there were good ways?). I have to wonder and ask, what a good lawyer for the plaintiff will do with the kinds of data that we have seen regarding the need for the use of a backboard here in the US and in the UK? This has to be in the top 5 of worst ways to die! even more so.....all of the plastic and most of the wooden back boards I've worked with provide substantial floatation by themselves...the old aluminum ones did not.... so how in the hell did all the other folks get off the boat without her? ck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 In a message dated 8/24/2006 6:16:03 P.M. Central Daylight Time, krin135@... writes: even more so.....all of the plastic and most of the wooden back boards I've worked with provide substantial floatation by themselves...the old aluminum ones did not.... Ya know I had not considered that. The flotation aspect that is? Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (Home Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude " " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 In a message dated 8/24/06 6:16:28 P.M. Central Daylight Time, krin135@... writes: even more so.....all of the plastic and most of the wooden back boards I've worked with provide substantial floatation by themselves..worked with provide su ones did not.... so how in the hell did all the other folks get off the boat without her? ck Maybe it was floating upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 In a message dated 8/24/2006 8:02:09 P.M. Central Daylight Time, TX1@... writes: Maybe it was floating upside down. A very real and even more scary thought !!! The scenario fits boat in trouble, boat takes on water, boat flips throwing all in the drink, and the board ends up upside down with the conscious patient on said board! Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMS Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (Home Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude " " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 In a message dated 8/24/2006 9:12:52 P.M. Central Daylight Time, bbledsoe@... writes: Why was she strapped in? Why? For a sprained ankle and a cut on the head? " The golden lining here is that this type of case may well force the hand of " every trauma gets a B and C " protocols! Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant LNMolino@... (Cell Phone) (Home Phone) (IFW/TFW/FSS Office) (IFW/TFW/FSS Fax) " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude " " Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people " Eleanor Roosevelt - US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962) The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and the author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or organization that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended only for its stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain by the original author. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 It would float you upside down, wouldn't it? GG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 This might be a good vehicle for a CE program on the legal pitfalls of doing what we've always been taught to do. The lawyers will ask a thousand questions, but the first question I would ask would be " why was this patient restrained on a spineboard? " Then you go from there. Gene G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 The original article didn't make it sound like it was floating upside down, it said something about them taking a while to find her under water or some such. Of course perhaps there are things we don't know, like fast moving water with eddies. V Re: Re: Horrible Way to Die--Strapped to BackBoard In a message dated 8/24/06 6:16:28 P.M. Central Daylight Time, krin135@... writes: even more so.....all of the plastic and most of the wooden back boards I've worked with provide substantial floatation by themselves..worked with provide su ones did not.... so how in the hell did all the other folks get off the boat without her? ck Maybe it was floating upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 OK, I understand everything you're saying, but you didn't address the central question: Why was this woman boarded with the injuries that have been reported? Let's just consider that. Of course we don't know the whole story, but let's just take at face value that she had a lac to the head and an ankle injury. Why was she boarded? Can anyboy articulate a reason why such a patient would need to be strapped to a spineboard? Gene G. > > The nightmarish possibilities here are obvious. It seems certain that this > unfortunate woman died a horrible death. However, I must add that I am > surprised at the total lack of any attempt to see this incident from the eyes of the > responders, our peers, in this incident. We can all jump on the " see what > happens when you board everybody " bandwagon, but is this really the call we > want to use to make that point? Even if horrible, it is surely anecdotal. I > have,on occasion,had to board water vessels in the course of my job. Everything > from tankers (big ones) to fishing boats (small ones). I have some > understanding of the issues inherent with that, as well as a idea of potential > complications, and they are numerous. I have no doubt that the rescuers on that boat > did everything but die themselves in their attempts to avoid this tragedy. > Just imagine for a second what it must have been like for them. Put yourself in > their shoes, to coin a phrase. Also don't forget, we were not on the call. > Anyone in EMS worth their salt has long since learned you cannot use limited > information like we have at this point to " armchair quarterback " the call. > Sure, we will get most of the facts eventually, but we do not have them now. It > seems that judgment has already been cast on these providers, and they deserve > better than that from us. > > Sudik LP > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 N.H. considers criminal probe into river death August 24, 2006 By Smallheer Herald Staff SPRINGFIELD - New Hampshire officials said Wednesday they have launched what could turn into a criminal investigation into the drowning death of a Rockingham woman whose rescue on the Connecticut River turned fatal. Meanwhile, family members of Virginia " Ginny " Allbee Yates, 64, said they would not let their mother's death be ignored, and said the family was exploring the option of hiring an attorney. Yates' close childhood friend and " adopted sister, " Santaw of Cornish, N.H., said her friend was a wonderful, loving person, adding that her death was " horrible " to many. Santaw, who had known Yates since they were both 14, said that the Cornish Rescue Squad had refused to answer the family's questions and told Yates' brother to contact the attorney. " This is not going to go away. Trust me, my sister's death won't be swept under the rug, " Santaw said. " Ginny knew how to swim. Why was she strapped in? Why? For a sprained ankle and a cut on the head? " Marc Hathaway, Sullivan County (N.H.) attorney, the county's criminal prosecutor, said Wednesday during a news conference at Hoyt's Landing, the local boat landing where Tuesday's rescue operation was launched, that the investigation by Vermont and New Hampshire authorities would be open-ended and it was possible that Yates' death could involve criminal charges. " Any time you do an investigation, until you get all the facts, I've learned not to form an opinion, " Hathaway said, when questioned about a possible criminal investigation. Hathaway said he had " absolute faith " in the work of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol to investigate the particularly sensitive tragedy, which involved other public safety officials and volunteers. Hathaway said six different agencies across the Vermont-New Hampshire state line would participate in the investigation. Yates had received what family members said was a " minor " cut on the head and had sprained her ankle while on a private Springfield dock on the shore of the Connecticut River, about a half-mile south of Hoyt's Landing. She was being transported to an ambulance by water because steep banks at that portion of the river made access difficult. The Connecticut River is broad and seemingly calm at the location between Springfield and town, N.H., but there are strong currents in part due to the entrance of the Black River. The death is being investigated by New Hampshire because the state boundary is at the Vermont shore. Yates, the mother of three surviving grown children, was a retired cook who had worked at several area diners and restaurants, including the Sportsman Lounge in Brattleboro and the Miss Bellows Falls Diner. She was a lifelong resident of the Rockingham-Westminster area, and was living on Social Security at the North Shore Trailer Park. During the rescue, she was strapped onto a backboard, which in turn was harnessed to a Stokes basket, which was tied to the Cornish (N.H.) Rescue Squad boat, according to Sgt. on of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Hathaway refused to identify the so-called airboat, how old it was or what kind of training the Cornish Rescue Squad had received with the flat-bottomed boat. But news accounts said the squad had received the so-called fan or air boat in March and had done some training with it on the Connecticut River. Drye, president of the Cornish Rescue Squad, declined to comment on the incident, referring all comments to Hathaway. Hathaway refused to say whether rescue squad members had put a life jacket on Yates, or whether they were wearing life jackets when the boat sank. Hathaway did say that four rescuers were on the boat when it sank, three members from Cornish and one from the Springfield Fire Department. Springfield Fire Chief couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday about Tuesday's accident. But Town Manager Forguites said the members of the department were upset following the incident, and stress counseling had been offered to the department members. Forguites said he did not know which Springfield firefighter/EMT was aboard the boat. Aldrich of Claremont, N.H., Yates' son, said he had been told his mother wasn't wearing a life vest, although her rescuers were. Aldrich also said his mother had been strapped to the front of the boat, which was the first to go under water. Aldrich said his two sisters, Margaret and Sherry, who lived in Andover and Walpole, N.H., were planning his mother's funeral, and that his uncle, Allbee of Westminster, would be handling his mother's estate and other legal issues. Allbee wasn't available for comment Wednesday, according to a woman who answered the telephone at his home. Santaw said she knew many of the Cornish members of the rescue squad. " I know the town, they're my friends, I hate to say anything, " she said. " But they should take some training before you jeopardize somebody's life. " Santaw said Yates hadn't wanted to go to Springfield Hospital for treatment because of a previous bad experience in the winter and that was why she told her friend Edgar Emerson she didn't want an ambulance. Emerson had left Yates sitting on the banks of the Connecticut River before he took his boat to seek help at the boat landing, had said Tuesday evening that Yates didn't want an ambulance for what she considered minor injuries. The boat in question is still on the bottom of the Connecticut River, stuck in the muddy silt, according to on. on said that a dive team would be brought in Thursday morning to retrieve the boat. The boat is stuck in a vacuum-like condition, he said, and the more they try and pull it out, the tighter a hold the mud has. on said the boat had moved since the accident, probably due to the river's current. on and Hathaway said that in addition to the four professional rescuers, private citizens also tried to help rescue Yates, after the boat sank. He said Yates' body finally was freed from the boat after being under way for about an hour. Her body was taken to the New Hampshire Medical Examiner's Office in Concord for an autopsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 The nightmarish possibilities here are obvious. It seems certain that this unfortunate woman died a horrible death. However, I must add that I am surprised at the total lack of any attempt to see this incident from the eyes of the responders, our peers, in this incident. We can all jump on the " see what happens when you board everybody " bandwagon, but is this really the call we want to use to make that point? Even if horrible, it is surely anecdotal. I have,on occasion,had to board water vessels in the course of my job. Everything from tankers (big ones) to fishing boats (small ones). I have some understanding of the issues inherent with that, as well as a idea of potential complications, and they are numerous. I have no doubt that the rescuers on that boat did everything but die themselves in their attempts to avoid this tragedy. Just imagine for a second what it must have been like for them. Put yourself in their shoes, to coin a phrase. Also don't forget, we were not on the call. Anyone in EMS worth their salt has long since learned you cannot use limited information like we have at this point to " armchair quarterback " the call. Sure, we will get most of the facts eventually, but we do not have them now. It seems that judgment has already been cast on these providers, and they deserve better than that from us. Sudik LP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 In a message dated 8/24/2006 9:12:38 PM Central Standard Time, bbledsoe@... writes: During the rescue, she was strapped onto a backboard, which in turn was harnessed to a Stokes basket, which was tied to the Cornish (N.H.) Rescue Squad boat, according to Sgt. on of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Ok...here is a real 'bite me' sticker on the back of the Rescue squad...there are floatation collars made for Stokes baskets that are manufacturer recommended for marine/aquatic usage just to prevent this sort of situation. So beyond the question of 'why was this woman totally packaged?' is the question " Why was not the appropriate equipment used in a safe manner? " And maybe, just maybe, this will be the foot in the door that the legal folks need to make insurance companies force squads and hosptials to re evaluate antiquated protocols. ck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 I haven't read anything that indicates she was secured to a backboard in such a way that a EMS provider would have secured her if there was indications of spinal injury. There is no mention of cervical collars, CIDs, etc. If in fact her injuries were as minor as her bereaved family indicate, and if she had previously refused ambulance transport based on the fact that she felt that her injuries were not serious, why was all this happening at all? It seems that any patient transported on this boat is going to find themselves secured in the Stokes basket, which is then secured towards the bow. This may have been perceived as the " safest " way to move injured people, and may well be SOP per protocol. I have seen many minor injuries come off of USCG boats and helos in Stokes baskets. How they secure the Stokes during transport I cannot say, but I am sure it varies greatly based on the type of vehicle. (Also, if the Stokes was secured to the boat when it sank, which is the current report, the floats would have done nothing to prevent this regardless if they were in place or not). It seems they used the backboard simply as a way to move her to the boat (and awaiting Stokes basket) then secured her as they would any patient. They just never planned on the boat sinking. And here is another twist to this, what if she did have obvious spinal injury. What if full-blown spinal motion restriction was clearly indicated, and the same thing happened. It seems to me that that scenario directs attention to the real issue(s). Is this the right type of boat for this work? Was the plan for securing the Stokes basket per protocol and SOP? If so, was it an appropriate procedure to begin with? This is about a horrible accident and questions arise specific to this service and safe water operations. Not about some " comfortably dumb " responders that c-collar and board every patient that wants a ride 'cuz that's what the book said to do. That was the tone I was perceiving, and why I posted my comment. Sudik, LP Re: Re: Horrible Way to Die--Strapped to BackBoard OK, I understand everything you're saying, but you didn't address the central question: Why was this woman boarded with the injuries that have been reported? Let's just consider that. Of course we don't know the whole story, but let's just take at face value that she had a lac to the head and an ankle injury. Why was she boarded? Can anyboy articulate a reason why such a patient would need to be strapped to a spineboard? Gene G. > > The nightmarish possibilities here are obvious. It seems certain that this > unfortunate woman died a horrible death. However, I must add that I am > surprised at the total lack of any attempt to see this incident from the eyes of the > responders, our peers, in this incident. We can all jump on the " see what > happens when you board everybody " bandwagon, but is this really the call we > want to use to make that point? Even if horrible, it is surely anecdotal. I > have,on occasion,had to board water vessels in the course of my job. Everything > from tankers (big ones) to fishing boats (small ones). I have some > understanding of the issues inherent with that, as well as a idea of potential > complications, and they are numerous. I have no doubt that the rescuers on that boat > did everything but die themselves in their attempts to avoid this tragedy. > Just imagine for a second what it must have been like for them. Put yourself in > their shoes, to coin a phrase. Also don't forget, we were not on the call. > Anyone in EMS worth their salt has long since learned you cannot use limited > information like we have at this point to " armchair quarterback " the call. > Sure, we will get most of the facts eventually, but we do not have them now. It > seems that judgment has already been cast on these providers, and they deserve > better than that from us. > > Sudik LP > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 From what I read in the story, she was strapped to the board, and the board was tied down on the foredeck of the boat. So, when the BOAT sank . . . bob trouten wrote: I just have one comment, being one who has done water rescue and wanted a backboard to go under water and it just wouldnt. Backboards float so how did it sink. lnmolino@... wrote: Died strapped to a backboard, assuming here she was conscious what a horrible way to die (as if there were good ways?). I have to wonder and ask, what a good lawyer for the plaintiff will do with the kinds of data that we have seen regarding the need for the use of a backboard here in the US and in the UK? This has to be in the top 5 of worst ways to die! -- Lou Molino, Sr. FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI From the road some where Horrible Way to Die--Strapped to BackBoard Woman Dies After Rescue Boat Sinks On Connecticut River Woman Strapped To Backboard On Boat POSTED: 12:02 am EDT August 23, 2006 UPDATED: 12:09 pm EDT August 23, 2006 SPRINGFIELD, Vt. -- A Vermont woman died on Tuesday afternoon in what investigators said was a river rescue tragedy. Virginia Yates, 60, of Rockingham, Vt., was boating on the Connecticut River between town, N.H. and Springfield, Vt. Friends said Yates was injured when she was walking up a dock, missed a step and fell. Because the riverbank was so steep, the decision was made to take her to an ambulance by boat. A rescue boat from Cornish, N.H., with four people on board went and picked up the woman to bring her to an ambulance waiting downstream. The woman was strapped on to a backboard. During the transport, the boat began taking on water and sank. Yates disappeared into the water. " The boat swamped and the emergency personnel were unable to recover Miss Yates until some time later, and she's passed, " said Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway. There were no other injuries. The rescue boat remained underwater on Tuesday night about 200 feet from shore. Investigators raised the boat on Wednesday morning and were trying to determine why it took on water Visit our website at www.paramedicine.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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