A Wyoming County ambulance worker is dead after the ambulance he was riding in crashed Tuesday morning on Interstate 79 in Lewis County.
Jan-Care Ambulance Service says Mark Kinder, a 26-year-old EMT from the Mullens station, died at Stonewall Jackson Hospital not long after the 5 a.m. crash near Weston.
Jan-Care Director of Operations Paul Seamann tells MetroNews the ambulance collided with a tractor trailer. The driver of the ambulance, who is a paramedic, was treated and released.
Seamann says he’s not sure what may have caused the wreck.
“They had communicated with dispatch. They had dropped a patient off (in Morgantown) and they had gotten something to eat and they felt they were good to be coming back,” Seamann said.
Kinder was a “bright young man” according to Seamann who had obtained his EMT certification and was serving the citizens of Wyoming County.
“This is just a tragedy because they spend their time and their efforts to help other people,” Seamann said. “But we drive on the same roads as everyone else does.”
Kinder’s sister also works for Jan-Care. Seamann says that’s not unusual for Jan-Care crews.
“It’s kind of a calling they have. They give a lot of time and effort,” he said.
Lewis County sheriff’s deputies and State Police Troopers are investigating the accident.