Ohio Ambulance Driver Dies During Patient Transport

A driver for a private ambulance service in Ohio died behind the wheel of a truck Saturday.

After suffering an apparent heart attack, James Stout, 57, veered off the road into a field. The patient in the back, who was headed to a dialysis appointment, was not hurt, said Fred Barney, regional manager of Life Ambulance Inc.

Stout had been employed for many years by the medical transport company, located in Gallipolis.

"The patient said the truck just went off the road, and stopped about 15 yards into a field," Barney said, adding that a passing motorist stopped, and notified authorities.

Visitation will he held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at D.W. Swick Funeral Home in New Boston. Funeral services will be held at noon Friday.

Barney said he believes this is the first Life Ambulance Inc. employee to die while on duty.