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Freak Weather Accident Kills Paramedic

6 comments

A CAMERON, LOUISIANA, PARAMEDIC DIED FRIDAY afternoon in a freak accident.  Thomas Widcamp, 38, was working in the Cameron Parish EMS offices that were located in a temporary portable building when a wind storm suddenly came up.  As Widcamp was walking between the building and a parked car, a strong gust came up blowing the structure off of its foundation blocks and against the car, pinning him between the two.

He was airlifted to the hospital in Lake Charles where he was pronounced.  He leaves behind a wife and four children.

KPLC-TV Lake Charles has a video report:

Posted by on October 12, 2009 • Filed under: rescue
  • Kevin Taylor

    Deepest sympathies to family and friends at this tragic time Shows how easy an accident freak in this case can happen May God be with them all

  • Kevin Taylor

    Deepest sympathies to family and friends at this tragic time Shows how easy an accident freak in this case can happen May God be with them all

  • Alan Silverman

    For structures of this type, most jurisdictions require high-wind tie downs (hurricane or tornado)straps around the building and fasteners anchored deep into the ground. Any in use in this case ?

  • Alan Silverman

    For structures of this type, most jurisdictions require high-wind tie downs (hurricane or tornado)straps around the building and fasteners anchored deep into the ground. Any in use in this case ?

  • Aaron Widcamp

    Alan, I am the brother of Thomas (the deceased). In Cameron Parish where the accident occured, LA zoning restrictions require that building be elevated to at least 5 feet in which these temp building were. However they were not tied down or anchored down. We just laid my brother to rest Tuesday afternoon. It was very difficult but the ceremony to me as a law enforcement officer was very very honorable to my brother and the life that he lived as a Paramedic and as a son, brother, husband and a father to his 4 kids. Trust me, we are investigating every option of ours to make sure this accident doesn’t happen again to someone. Thank you for your post. Good luck to you, stay safe.

  • Aaron Widcamp

    Alan, I am the brother of Thomas (the deceased). In Cameron Parish where the accident occured, LA zoning restrictions require that building be elevated to at least 5 feet in which these temp building were. However they were not tied down or anchored down. We just laid my brother to rest Tuesday afternoon. It was very difficult but the ceremony to me as a law enforcement officer was very very honorable to my brother and the life that he lived as a Paramedic and as a son, brother, husband and a father to his 4 kids. Trust me, we are investigating every option of ours to make sure this accident doesn’t happen again to someone. Thank you for your post. Good luck to you, stay safe.