22-year-old ambulance worker dies in crash

June 3, 2012
By Ryan Brown (rbrown@altoonamirror.com) , The Altoona Mirror

HUNTINGDON - A 22-year-old Mount Union ambulance worker was killed Saturday when his vehicle flipped over on Route 22 in Brady Township.

Ethan Amsbaugh died atop what's locally referred to as Sand Plant Hill, partially ejected from the ambulance in a single-vehicle accident still under internal and state police investigation.

He'd been working with the fire company as an ambulance volunteer for less than a month.

"He was returning on our ambulance. He was a passenger. For an unknown reason ... the ambulance left the roadway," Mount Union Fire Company Assistant Chief Jeremy Baker said. The eastbound ambulance flipped on its side after crossing westbound lanes and striking a road sign.

Deborah Mease, 55, was driving the ambulance and suffered minor injuries, state police said. She apparently was wearing a seat belt; Amsbaugh was not.

Dispatchers received cellphone calls describing the crash shortly after 6:37 a.m.

Firefighters from Mapleton and Mill Creek responded, as well as Huntingdon ambulance workers.

Roughly two hours after the crash, officers at the Mount Union Fire Company - with which Amsbaugh's ambulance unit was affiliated - posted a notice on the department's Facebook page informing followers of the crash.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved," the message said.

The outpouring of support was immediate, with firefighters and emergency workers from as far as York County expressing condolences and offering help.

Emergency workers who knew Amsbaugh attended a "stress debriefing" Saturday night.

"We deal with this every day with the general public. When it's one of your own, it adds a whole layer of complexity," Mount Union Fire Company spokesman Jeff Harman said. "It could be you."

Mirror Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.