Man dies waiting for unit from Magoffin

BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN 

INEZ — A Mountain Citizen investigation into a 911 call Aug. 23 shows no ambulance was available in Martin County to respond to the call for help for an elderly stroke victim.

Harold Ray Goble, who lived a mile from downtown Inez and 2 miles from NetCare’s Blacklog station, died before the nearest ambulance could arrive from Magoffin County.

The 911 call came in at 12:35 p.m., with the caller reporting the 77-year-old Goble was displaying weakness, low oxygen and “may have had another stroke.” The caller stated Goble had a history of strokes and advised that Goble was barely breathing and she could not wake him.

Martin County 911 Dispatch dropped tones alerting NetCare Ambulance at 12:39 p.m. A few minutes later, Inez Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the residence and marked on scene at 12:49 p.m.

NetCare base radioed dispatch at 12:49 p.m. and advised there was no ambulance in the county, and the nearest unit was en route from Magoffin County. Netcare also advised that “they would contact G. Fraley to see if he could respond until a truck from Magoffin County gets there.” 

Fire department responders started CPR and, at 12:57 p.m., advised the patient was “cold to the touch.”

Martin County Coroner Chris Todd was dispatched at 1:10 p.m. and transported Goble to the funeral home at 1:59 p.m.

Kim Spence, the daughter of Harold Goble and Linda Goble, watched as the scene unfolded before her like a nightmare from which she could not awake.

“I’ve always felt a little less worried when the thought crossed my mind about one of my parents needing an ambulance since they only live 1 mile from town and approximately 2 miles from the NetCare station on Blacklog. But thinking their response time would be a mere few minutes was definitely far from the truth Aug. 23,” Spence said.

“We are upset, hurt and feel that once again, the residents of this county have been put on the back burner to accommodate other locations,” she added. “We can’t help but ask, ‘What if?’” 

Earlier this month, Patriot Emergency Services of Ironton, Ohio, became the sole owner of NetCare Ambulance. Patriot serves portions of Ohio and Lawrence, Martin, Magoffin and Boyd counties in Kentucky.

“Our county went through a rough spot years ago when we didn’t have our own ambulance service, but after NetCare went into business, I think we all breathed a huge sigh of relief to know we had local service if we needed them,” said Spence. “I have always thought we should have had a second station in Warfield to accommodate those living on the other side of Buck Creek Hill. We know that time is precious when there is a medical emergency. Now it seems that our privately owned ambulance service has been sold to a company that serves several counties, and we are no longer a priority but are an afterthought.”

Spence spoke of her parents and the love they shared during their 57 years of marriage. She said the situation of having no ambulance to respond to the call for help had taken a toll on her mother. The latter constantly questions if her husband would have survived with immediate emergency care rather than having to wait for an ambulance that was 45 minutes away.

“Mom is back in the hospital, and I truly fear this may be something she can’t overcome,” said Spence. “She had to have one of her legs amputated, and Dad just doted on her after that happened. He honestly lived to make sure she was cared for and had what she needed. Mom is completely lost without him. The circumstances in which he passed make it so much worse for our entire family to accept, especially her.”

Spence said only God knows if a quick response from an ambulance would have prolonged her father’s life. However, she believes it would have increased his odds of surviving.

“Everyone needs to stop and consider that this isn’t just about my dad’s death,” she said. “Who is to say that the next time there are no ambulances available in the county that an emergency won’t occur that involves them or their family? Vehicle accidents happen every day, and Lord knows we’ve had more than our fair share of shootings lately. What if a school bus wrecked or another type of emergency arose at one of the schools or sporting events? It would be the same type of situation. We would have first responders, but no ambulance carrying life-saving equipment and medication.”

Martin County Sheriff John Kirk commented on the situation and echoed Spence’s concerns.

“I don’t think we need to waste any time before seeing what is needed to apply for a certificate of need through the state that would allow our fiscal court to either reach an agreement with another ambulance service or to seek grants and other possible funding to purchase ambulances of our own and have those at the Inez and Warfield fire departments in case they’re needed,” said the sheriff. “One death occurring when no ambulance was available in our county is one too many. Whether or not Mr. Goble would have lived is not the issue. The issue is that no ambulance was available to answer any emergency call, leaving our residents without the care they need and deserve. It’s unacceptable, and I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.”

Kirk added, “If a company buys out another service, they should have to guarantee they will continue to supply the same level of care that was available before. It’s plain to see that’s not happening, and I’m afraid this won’t be the last time we are faced with this problem.”

Martin County Judge-Executive Colby Kirk also voiced his concern about the county’s lack of continual ambulance service. The issue is at the top of his priority list.

Multiple calls by the Mountain Citizen to Patriot Emergency Services for comment went unreturned.