All articles tagged with #emergency services
Randolph Mantooth, best known as paramedic John Gage on Emergency!, died July 9 at 80. Born in 1945 in Sacramento, he built a decades-long career in TV, film and theater, with Emergency! launching his fame and fueling his advocacy for first responders; he later starred in Loving and other soaps and remained active in the industry. He is survived by his wife, Kristen Connors, and siblings.
Since April 2025, San Francisco firefighters have filed at least 31 internal reports accusing Waymo and other robotaxi operators of obstructing emergency operations, causing delays and forcing responders to move stalled vehicles—including several incidents during life-threatening calls and the 2025 PG&E blackout when dozens of AVs were stranded. Regulators are examining the issue: California has laws requiring AVs to answer emergency calls quickly and to allow blocking certain areas, and SF Supervisor Connie Chan plans legislation to cite companies for obstructions. Waymo says it trains for first responders, maintains a 24/7 emergency line, and uses incident reports to improve, while noting these reports reflect the agencies’ perspective and that most AV interactions with emergency vehicles are safe; critics urge standardized reporting and faster fixes.
A skydiving plane crashed in Tomblaine, northeastern France, killing all 11 people on board—pilot plus five students and five instructors—as emergency services rushed to the scene and investigators began collecting statements.
Two passenger trains collided outside Bedford, north of London, killing at least one person (reportedly a train driver) and injuring dozens. Emergency services said 11 people had very serious injuries, 22 serious injuries, and 56 minor injuries as a major incident was declared. Affected services were canceled and Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigators were dispatched to probe the crash.
One person died and nearly 90 were injured after two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided near Bedford, north of London; authorities declared a major incident as emergency services treat victims and rail services are disrupted.
Two East Midlands Railway trains collided near Elstow in Bedfordshire, killing one person and injuring several, with a major incident declared. Emergency services are at the scene, lines between Luton and Bedford are blocked, replacement buses are in operation, hospitals have urged people to avoid A&E unless urgent, and RAIB investigators have been dispatched to gather evidence as EMR and Network Rail coordinate updates.
Two East Midlands Railway trains collided near Bedford, north of London, prompting a major emergency response and unconfirmed reports of injuries; authorities halted services and blocked lines between Luton and Bedford as investigators work, with an air ambulance among resources deployed.
Two trains collided in the Bedford area north of London, with emergency services including air ambulance and a Hazardous Area Response Team responding as lines between Luton and Bedford were blocked; officials have not yet released injury details, but media reports indicate passengers were injured and more information is expected.
Dozens of hikers on the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail fell ill, prompting emergency responders to assist and evacuate some hikers while officials investigate the cause; no fatalities have been reported at this time.
A major explosion at a Staten Island shipyard left at least 16 people injured, including three seriously hurt (two firefighters and one non-firefighter). Firefighters were responding to workers trapped in a confined space when the blast occurred; victims were transported to local hospitals, and the cause is under investigation.
A weekend seismic swarm near Brawley in Imperial County produced more than 350 quakes, including a 4.7-magnitude event, but activity is slowing with no major damage or injuries reported; authorities are monitoring the situation.
Seven tourists, including three children, were stranded on a cliff along Australia’s east coast as tides and 16-foot waves approached. A helicopter rescue was deemed too dangerous, so unpaid local volunteers executed a three-hour operation using ropes and an Arizona vortex to haul them to safety, preventing the ropes from being damaged by the sharp rock edges.
Seven essential actions when you spot a stroke: use the FAST test (face, arms, speech, time), call 999 immediately, stay calm and note onset time, keep the person upright and comfortable, don’t give food/drink or medications before professionals arrive, don’t delay if symptoms pass, and don’t drive them—wait for paramedics who will take them to the right unit. Time is brain, and rapid treatment improves outcomes; resources include the Stroke Association and the stroke helpline.
A tornado touched down in Lena, Illinois (west of Rockford), causing extensive damage and prompting a town shutdown as emergency crews secure the area; no deaths or serious injuries have been reported, with reports of damage to Lena High School and the elementary. Gov. Pritzker says the state is coordinating with local officials for response and recovery.
A tourist bus carrying 27 British nationals crashed down a ravine on La Gomera in Spain’s Canary Islands, killing a 77-year-old British man and injuring 27 others (three seriously). The injured were airlifted to a local hospital, and a Spanish Civil Guard investigation has been launched into the crash, with the operator saying the passengers were returning to the UK when it happened.