A Mehlville Fire Protection District ambulance was involved in an accident over Father’s Day Weekend.
The accident took place Sunday, June 16, around 4 p.m.
According to MFPD, one of the district’s ambulances, 1717, was struck by a civilian driver who cut through the intersection of Lemay Ferry Road and South Lindbergh Boulevard, causing it to overturn.
The three on board the ambulance, a critical care paramedic, critical care registered nurse and driver, only suffered minor injuries – minor bumps and bruises and one broken bone, according to Fire Chief Brian Hendricks.
The civilian driver also suffered minor injuries. All four were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The ambulance involved in the wreck, 1717, was MFPD’s brand-new ambulance. The extent of the damage is currently unclear, though insurance has been notified and a claim number has been assigned.
Due to supply chain issues, it currently takes up to two years for fire departments to receive new ambulances. According to Hendricks, MFPD has a “tentative slot in the production line” but if the department “doesn’t pull the trigger soon,” the slot will be given to someone else. This led him to ask the fire district’s Board of Directors to authorize a $335,310 expenditure for an ambulance that will be delivered in 2025, which was unanimously approved at the board’s June 19 meeting.