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Elderly Van Driver Crashes Into Helicopter Outside Local Hospital
May 17, 2023
An elderly Escambia County driver crashed into a medical helicopter at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon.
The Shandscair 6 medical helicopter had just landed on the ground-level helipad at Sacred Heart Hospital. After shutting down the helicopter, the flight crew transferred their trauma patient into the hospital.
A short time later, an 82-year old man was attempting to find a parking space outside the hospital and drove onto the restricted helipad.
As he attempted to circle the helicopter, the driver’s van collided with the helicopter’s tail rotor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
“The helicopter was inspected before further flight,” FHP said.
There were no injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
19 Responses to “Elderly Van Driver Crashes Into Helicopter Outside Local Hospital”
Just wait until you get to be eighty. All drivers need to know that many people develop cataracts as they age and high beam headlights are blinding to them. Many seem to have no concept of when to dim their lights. Even driving behind someone with your high beams on is very distracting. There are MANY bad drivers and there are age impaired drivers, so testing seems better that a blanket ban.And, how about eighty year olds at the wheel of a major country? That could lead to world wide disaster. Couldn’t it? Just a thought. Impairment can happen at any age.
Yall sure can make it sound simple.
In his defense, the parking at Sacred Heart is always crowded and the design is confusing and he may have been in the midst of an incredibly stressful situation which is often the case when you’re going to the hospital.
Also, people are constantly aggressive with older drivers who might need more space and a little kindness on the road. Until we have satisfactory public transportation the first people who should lose the right to drive are able bodied young people who can easily walk and ride bicycles. And rich people shouldn’t be allowed to own automobiles since they can afford to use Uber.
I would not have a problem with driving tests for all every 5 years up to age 70 then more frequently after that. It is ridiculous to get to a 3 or 4 way stop and see how many have no idea who should go. Usually it’s younger drivers, not the elderly.
Moving over for merging traffic if safe, moving over for any one stopped on the edge of the interstate if safe, common courtesy, parking in regular spots without hogging the line, NO PARKING ZONES, TURN SIGNALS… It ’s all simple driving but so many don’t have any idea on road rules at all. Some delivery drivers are the worst. Parking in handicap spaces, drive throughs, blocking the doors and always in a hurry.
I also agree that if someone has an accident such as this, maybe have their knowledge, vision and mental status possibly reviewed. It really is a shame that many elderly folks have no one but their spouse to help them so they do the best they can but it’s not always safe.
Okay so I’ll admit, 70 might be a little too young for yearly exams. Perhaps only those at fault should have to re-examine. That should probably go for younger folks too that have multiple at fault accidents within a given time frame. I don’t believe my perspective would change too much with age. As I get older I accept that my reflexes are slower than they once were and my eyesight isn’t what it once was. Young people don’t have the experience and good judgment to be safe drivers and the older people get the more their body fails them. There’s probably some leak age of driving ability out there but who knows. My point was, when someone isn’t able to tell the difference between a helipad and a parking space a little oversight might be in order.
I agree with Safebear and @Me, The worst Drivers are under the age of thirty. There are many older drivers who don’t have family support or cab fare. If they wreck, check them out but leave the rest of old people alone.
I’ve lived in Florida from Escambia County to The Keys. The stories are always the same. An elderly driver hitting the wrong pedal. Losing control of their vehicle. Plowing into to front of businesses/homes. In one instance, a geriatric driver got confused and drove down a golf cart path, hitting a cart head on and killing the two golfers. Cognitive abilities decline with age. So di reaction times. So does eyesight, especially at night. While I’m sure there are exceptions and others claim “I’m fine” – the truth is – you are not. The body count and avoidable accidents are the evidence. Pointing to youthful accidents is not a defense. A large portion of those are the result of youthful inexperience/foolishness.
At age 70, a mandatory assessment is a good idea. Claiming a “logistical nightmare” is a lame excuse. Just do it. Be safe.
In think annual driving tests starting at 70 is a great idea. There are many people age 70 who are way better drivers than people age 30, but it’s needs to start somewhere, and I’d rather see it start at age 70 when it’s not needed than wait until later or until there’s an incident and someone is seriously injured or killed. I’m not that far from 70 and consider myself a good driver, but I’d do it.
That man can’t be “right”. Everyone knows that a helicopter is not something to drive near. If you are confused you should stop the car, not keep driving hoping for a miracle.
Many children are afraid to speak to their parents about giving up driving because it may mean they will have to help them by driving them where they need to go. Aging happens to everyone. A class after turning 70yrs would be very beneficial. Information on using vans or the bus lines near home & door-to-door services are available but we need to be taught what and where they are.
That would make for an interesting conversation with an auto insurance company. “You ran into a helicopter?”
Not so sure about retesting at 70. I’m 75 and I still know better than to hit a helicopter. Maybe 80…
Those darned helicopters always take more than one parking space…
The circle of safety around aircraft at this facility is a joke. Protect the aircrews , the patients and the general public by improving the landing zone.
I’m sorry sir but you need to have your drivers license permanently revoked before you injure someone or yourself, sorry but it’s time.
@Me
Yearly driving tests and medical evaluations? Uh, no. Not only for the sheer oversight nightmare that would cause, but I’m sure there are plenty of 70+ aged people out there that would run rings around you.
I might get behind the idea that if you get in an accident like this, and you are at fault (clearly the case here), THEN you might need to get reviewed/relicensed although I’d raise your age from 70 to 80 (and I still have a couple of decades before even worrying about the lower limit there).
I will give that guy the credit that parking at Sacred Heart is a nightmare at the best of times, and then they block off lanes when the helicopter is landing/taking off.
@Me and @Safebear…maybe not 70, but for sure 80 or 90. My 94 year old grandmother still drives and that just shouldn’t be allowed.. It is very difficult for families to step in and convince their parent/grandparents to give up their drivers license. The state could have a better process for this to keep everyone safer.
I feel bad for the gentleman driving, but I’m glad he was not injured!
I totally agree with Me. And, yes at 70 I would still have the same perspective. My mother is 81 and still feels the urge to drive even though she has had a mild stroke and the doctor told her she can’t drive anymore. I have her car and keys, until it can be sold, so she can’t get behind the wheel and drive.
@Me – I wonder when you get 70 years old if you’ll have this same perspective… I seriously doubt it.
I’ve said it for years, once you get over 70yrs of age you should have to take a yearly driving test that includes a driving course and medical evaluation.