Monday, April 14, 2008

Navy Medic Gets Bill After Helping Out

(04-12) 12:10 PDT Jackson, Mich. (AP) --

A Navy medic who stopped to calm a woman whose husband was having a heart attack — and helped an ambulance crew perform CPR on the man en route to a hospital — ended up with a $60 towing bill.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tim Moore was driving on Interstate 94 near Jackson on April 2 when he saw an ambulance parked along the eastbound lane, the Jackson Citizen Patriot reported.

He said he pulled over to try to help calm the woman, who was near the ambulance. When the rescuers learned of Moore's medical training, they asked if he would help administer CPR on the way to Foote Hospital.

"I pulled over in a bit of a hurry," said Moore, who since has returned to Camp Lejeune, N.C. "Of course, when they asked me to do CPR, I just locked the truck and didn't really think about moving it."

The man died in the emergency room.

When Moore returned to the side of the interstate two hours later, the truck was missing. It turns out the truck — parked partly over the white line marking the side of the road — was considered a travel hazard and towed.

Jackson County Undersheriff Tom Finco said deputies tried to call Moore before the tow but got no answer at the number they had on record. The charge was levied by the towing company.

"It's very unfortunate he stopped to do a good deed and that's what happened," Finco said, "but we definitely don't want his vehicle left there and hit by another car traveling down the ramp."

Moore said he was a little upset at the time. Now, he says: "It's only $60."

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