12/21/17 – Martins Ferry, OH – Man Steals Martins Ferry Fire Ambulance From Hospital That Was Waiting For A Patient To Transport By Helicopter To Another Hospital

Article Source: www.ems1.com

A man was arrested for stealing an ambulance that was left running in front of a hospital while the crew prepared to transport a patient to a medical flight.

WTOV9 reported that Anthony Norman faces several charges after allegedly taking off in the Martins Ferry Fire Department Medical Squad ambulance that was parked outside of a hospital.

Officials said the ambulance was left running in front of the hospital while a Cumberland Trail Fire District crew prepared to transport the EMS crew and a patient to a landing zone so they could be flown to another hospital.

Assistant Martins Ferry Fire Chief Jack Regis said he couldn’t believe it when he heard someone stole the ambulance.

“When I got the text, honestly I was in pure disbelief,” Chief Regis said. “It’s something that you don’t expect to happen in a small community like this.”

Chief Regis said the department’s protocol to leave the ambulance running will be reevaluated.