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LODD In Germany – Ambulance

10 comments

WHAT MAY BE THE NEW YEAR’S FIRST LODD occurred early this morning in the Kitzingen region of Germany.  A 1st-responder emergency ambulance/rapid response car was responding on a call at 2:30 am local time when it collided with an automobile at an intersection.

amb a

The RR car can be seen on the left in the field in this photo by Berthold Diem

The 28-yr.-old driver of the “smart car” rapid response vehicle was killed immediately and his 20-yr-old partner was critically injured.  Police say that the RR car had its emergency lights on, however the car that it struck was in the roadway that normally has the right-of-way at the intersection.  The driver of the second car was uninjured and his wife suffered only a minor injury to her left leg.  They are both age 34.

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photo by Berthold Diem

There is no report yet on any charges from the police.

Radio Gong 106.9 has the story, more photos and a video report HERE.

Hat tip:  Christian L.

Also on FireGeezer…

Posted by on January 1, 2010 • Filed under: ambulances, Line of Duty, Vehicle Operation & Ambulances • Tagged: , , , ,
  • Sam

    Well I guess that answers the question about how safe these plastic smart cars are in an accident. NOT VERY.

  • freeskier

    Actually, they are pretty safe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-s1sIoLhU

    The othe car was a Porsche, maybe speeding. We have to wait for the results of the investigation.

  • Rick G.

    I really doubt the safety of these little cars. Just remember that the manufacturer does the safety testing. Plastic and aluminum are not very effective when meeting steel and iron at high speeds. RIP fellow EMS worker.

  • freeskier

    In Europe an independent agency does safety testings before a car is allowed to be sold. (Euro NCAP) And the Smart was tested with 4 out of 5 Stars. http://www.euroncap.com/tests/smart_fortwo_2007… Several “steel and iron” cars (mostly from China) were not allowed on the european Market, cause they failed the tests. Best Example is a Car named Briliance: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/22/brilliance-b…

  • freeskier

    In Europe an independent agency does safety testings before a car is allowed to be sold. (Euro NCAP) And the Smart was tested with 4 out of 5 Stars. http://www.euroncap.com/tests/smart_fortwo_2007… Several “steel and iron” cars (mostly from China) were not allowed on the european Market, cause they failed the tests. Best Example is a Car named Briliance: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/22/brilliance-b…

  • Rick G.

    I would want to see the results of a crash test between these type cars and a large 4×4 pickup or SUV with “steel” frame and “iron” engine block. I sure a car made out of titanium could still be worthless if built wrong.

  • freeskier

    Right. On the hand: How would a normal sedan look like, when a 3 ton SUV hits it? Actually, the Smart was built as a city car. For the more than crowded european cities, where speeds over 30 mph are very rare.

  • freeskier

    Right. On the hand: How would a normal sedan look like, when a 3 ton SUV hits it? Actually, the Smart was built as a city car. For the more than crowded european cities, where speeds over 30 mph are very rare.

  • Rick G.

    I would want to see the results of a crash test between these type cars and a large 4×4 pickup or SUV with “steel” frame and “iron” engine block. I sure a car made out of titanium could still be worthless if built wrong.

  • freeskier

    Right. On the hand: How would a normal sedan look like, when a 3 ton SUV hits it? Actually, the Smart was built as a city car. For the more than crowded european cities, where speeds over 30 mph are very rare.