Study: EMT's face greatest risk on road

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - National studies show paramedics and EMT's face greater risks on the road compared to other drivers.

Saturday, EMTs Timothy McCormick and Cody Medley killed in an accident while in an ambulance. Police said the ambulance was struck by a passenger car while going through the intersection of Senate Avenue and St. Clair, their vehicle had the right of way.

VIDEO: Honoring fallen medics

According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, between 2003 and 2009 an average of almost 1,300 US workers died from roadway crashes each year.

But emergency medical technicians and paramedics have higher fatal injury rates when compared with all workers.

In fact, one national investigation estimated that the fatality rate of EMS workers was more than two times the national average for all workers.

Because ambulances and other emergency vehicles are top heavy, there is an increased risk for injury due to rollovers.

According to one EMS website, 33 percent of fatal emergency vehicle crashes involve rollovers. 

In the past, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has partnered with the Ambulance Manufacturers to improve emergency vehicle safety and create a new set of crash test standards.

24-Hour-News 8 was unable to find any recent crash data that shows whether those safety improvements helped save lives.

Ambulance drivers are required to go through special drivers training.