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James Bailey

While the information contained in this news article was current and accurate when we posted it, it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.

Posted: Thursday, September 9, 2010 6:35 PM

It is with great sorrow, the Office of EMS must announce the death of McDowell County Emergency Ambulance Authority Emergency Vehicle Operator James Bailey.  At approximately 3:00 AM on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010, an authority ambulance was involved in a single-vehicle motor vehicle crash on Route 80 in Avondale, WV. The ambulance (designated as Unit 802) was transporting a patient from their residence in English, WV to Bluefield Regional Medical Center.  

Mr. James Bailey, who was driving the ambulance, was fatally injured in the accident.  The EMS attendant, EMT Kevin Brooks, was also injured but his injuries are not life-threatening. The patient also sustained minor injuries in the accident. A family member accompanying the patient was also injured and was transported by AirEvac Lifeteam to a Charleston-area hospital.

Mr. Bailey, 36, of Bradshaw WV, had been with McDowell County EMS since November 2009 and he is survived by 2 children.

Funeral arrangements for Emergency Vehicle Operator James "Jamie" Bailey of Bradshaw, WV have been confirmed.  Jamie died in the line-of-duty on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 when the McDowell County Ambulance Authority unit he was driving ran off the road and rolled over an embankment.

An emergency services funeral with full honors will be held to honor the life and service of Mr.  Bailey.  The funeral will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department on Route 80 in Bradshaw, WV.  The family will receive visitors on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 8:00PM also at the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department.  Emergency service apparatus will be staged at the Riverview High School (located north of Bradshaw on Route 80) during both services.  A shuttle to the fire station will be provided.

In addition to being an employee of the McDowell County Ambulance Authority, Mr. Bailey was also a member of the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department.

Agencies intending to attend the services are asked to notify Deron Wilkes, Chief of Operations for the WV Office of EMS.  Notifications can be sent to deron.e.wilkes@wv.gov.