Well, I chased my first ambulance today.

[Robb]

Normally I'm driving it, so I don't have to have the ethical dilemma. But today, as I was calmly working along, phone rings, and editor says "Hey, turn on your scanner, there's a rollover accident near you."

So I do, and there is. It's snowing, so I tell him I'll keep listening and see if I have to go take a picture or not. After I hang up, I think to myself what a vulture I would be if I did. Carnage sells small newspapers, heck every size paper, but I've always been afraid of the day I'd have to photograph something horrendous.

Working, working, working along, scanner popping in the background. Of course it should be pointed out I know everyone from State Patrol to the ambulance crew, recognize them on the radio. Work, work, work... nothing new on the air, nothing to suggest my editor could possibly care about this accident in particular. Ethical dilemma neatly avoided.

Then I hear it:

"Ah, dispatch, inform the ambulance when they arrive, there's probably two hundred head of cattle that have just come up on us, and a bunch of cowboys, they're in the middle of the scene here."

Crap.

Phone rings. Editor says go. I go.

Driving up to the scene, about five minutes away up a spectacular highway, snow-capped peaks, the weather's clearing. I find myself wondering if I can frame the accident with one of the mountains in the background, and feel dirty for even thinking it.

As I pull up, I see the marshal's got his truck parked on the highway, lights on, directing traffic maybe fifty yards ahead of the accident scene. From here, all I can see is a single car in the ditch. As I walk up, the marshal recognizes me and calls me over. Above the wind I hear the words "four juveniles" and my heart begins to sink.

I look down and notice I've got the camera ready.

I make my way past sheriff's deputies and around the ambulance, nodding to the crew. Then I see them.

Four little toe-headed blond girls burst out of the back of the ambulance and race up the muddy embankment, giggling and yelling at each other. They're clearly sisters, all under 12.

I look in the back of the ambulance and see mom and dad sitting upright, being tended to.

Everyone's fine. Miracle, says one of the deputies.

The parents climb down and I talk to them a little, while State Patrol calls them a tow truck. I get the details of the spin-out from the marshal, the cattle are long gone.

And before I leave I get the family to pose, smiling and arms on shoulders, with one of the mountains in the background.

Page one. :)

[Thtwudbeme]

1. I was a paramedic too

Cute story!

Thanks for sharing!

[Robb]

2. Thanks

...although I'm not a paramedic, I'm just the volunteer driver. And not all that often anymore. :)

[BlueIris]

3. Great story.

See, there are miracles. It's been pretty hard for me to remember that this week.

[Droopy]

4. Nice story, Robb

I'm glad everybody was ok. I've run across a few hellish scenes in my time on the road and it's something that will never leave you.

[Robb]

6. Me too

Some things you can't un-see. Fortunately, good stuff can stick with you, too. :)

[PartyPooper]

5. I thought this was going to be just another "lawyer" story.

:D

:hi: