Sen. Frist aids victims at South Florida wreck scene

Sarasota Herald Tribune ^ | 1/1/2002 | Brian Bandell

[unspun]

Sen. Frist aids victims at South Florida wreck scene

By BRIAN BANDELL
Associated Press Writer

Incoming Senate majority leader Bill Frist, a surgeon, helped authorities tend to six victims of a rollover accident on a Florida highway New Year's Day, earning praise from paramedics for stabilizing some of the four survivors.

Frist, R-Tenn., a full time heart and lung surgeon before joining the Senate eight years ago, replaced Trent Lott, R-Miss., who stepped down as majority leader in December after making a racist comment.

An Isuzu Rodeo with six people aboard was heading west on Alligator Alley when it rolled over 3 to 4 miles west of the toll plaza in Broward County at 3:51 p.m., Broward Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Todd Leduc said.

All six, including three children, were thrown out as the vehicle rolled. A 10-year-old boy died on the scene; another passenger died later at a hospital.

Frist was driving east on the highway, the Everglades portion of Interstate 75, heading to a family vacation home in Fort Lauderdale with his two sons when he came across the accident, which had just occurred.

He was working with the victims when rescue officials arrived. He told them of the conditions of the victims and assisted paramedics for about 30 minutes until the victims were sent to area hospitals.

"Sen. Frist greatly assisted Broward County Fire Rescue. The Senate majority leader was really instrumental in helping us treat the victims," Leduc said. "We'd like to get in contact with him and recognize him for his efforts."

The other four victims were transported to Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale and Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Leduc said. A 12-year-old was in critical condition. Authorities didn't release their identities.

"As a doctor his first instinct was too help these individuals," said Nick Smith, Frist's communications director. "His heart goes out to the family involved in this horrible tragedy."

[unspun]

Here's our terrible cat killer showing what he's made of.

[Senator Pardek]

Obviously planned by the NWO to take heat off of the "cat controversy".

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Gosh, and i bet this story will on the news for days and days like Trent Lott, or the Spacemen clone,right?Right!bwhahahaahahahahaha.I doubt if we ever read about it anywhere but its original posting spot and here on Free Republic.Now lets get back to real news like Edwards running for President.Bwahahahahahahaha.

[lawgirl]

Fantastic. Kudos to Dr. Frist.

[Drango]

Yeah, bet they were white people. He, as we all know, would never help black people.

[doug from upland]

We pray for the victims. It was a good thing the doctor was there to help. I don't think the terms "mean spirited" and "extreme right wing whacko" are going to stick to him. The RATS will try, but we have a really decent humanitarian leading the Senate. May his actions be as conservative as we hope they are.

[Larry Lucido]

An Isuzu Rodeo with six people aboard

Oh, sure, he'll stop and help a bunch of middle class folks in an SUV, but wouldn't lift a finger for underprivileged poor and minorities living nearby. Racist!!!

[Larry Lucido]

LOL! Ya beat me!

[tbird5]

An Isuzu Rodeo with six people aboard was heading west..as Rush says they report as if the SUV was driving itself

[unspun]

Pinging some of last night's cool cats about Frist Feline's Bane....

[Judith Anne]

HAHAHAHAHA!!! Yep, I'm sure of it. ;-D

[appeal2]

These wackos would have been much happier if he saved some cats rather than people who are good for nothing anyway.

[pbear8]

He's beginning to sound like Superman.

[RnMomof7]

I have not read the "cat" article ..I will have to go look

Any Medical person that fails to stop is less that human...I have stopped several times at accidents..and I have been joined by Docs that do not give their name..they just treat and go..

[Yardstick]

If it had been an SUV full of cats that had overturned, no doubt Frist would have driven on past.

[Mo1]

You know this kind of news really doesn't help the left in digging up dirt on Frist

Seriously though .. prayers to all that were involved in this terrible accident

[CJinVA]

Is Sen. Edwards is going to handle the lawsuit?

[unspun]

Soon we'll be hearing Jessie Jackson and Hillary Emily List Rodham Clingon stating that his first intention was to save the SUV and because of that the boy died!

[NewHampshireDuo]

Reminds me of the time a Massachusetts senator gave assistance at the scene of an auto accident. Woops, never mind.

[Judith Anne]

Yes, prayers for those in the accident. Sad, to happen on the holidays.